MEMBERS of Essex Police were among those honoured at the Essex Justice Awards.
Monday, 05 October, 2009
Criminal Justice Department operations manager Barbara Holmes and Chelmsford special constable John Turnbull were judged to have demonstrated extra dedication and commitment in their support of victims and witnesses and in their work with offenders and tackling youth crime.
The Essex Criminal Justice Board's (CJB) Justice Awards recognise people working in the criminal justice system who go the extra mile in working with offenders, victims or witnesses, whether they are from one of the criminal justice agencies or their partner organisations or are volunteers working with victims, witnesses or offenders.
Mrs Holmes, who is due to retire from Essex Police on November 1, was said to have demonstrated an exemplary degree of dedication and commitment to her duties in support of operational police officers and the public of Essex since first joining the force in 1979.
In 1995, Mrs Holmes wrote an innovative policy which led, for the first time, to support being provided to next-of-kin throughout court hearings involving fatalities. In January 2000 she was seconded to a joint agency project and played a pivotal role in the introduction of joint police/Crown Prosecution Service units in Essex.
Three years later, she became a major player in a local joint-agency implementation team which planned and implemented changes to the management of summary trial cases, which once again attracted complementary recognition of her approach.
Her latest achievement was the delivery of the Streamlined File Process to Essex Police in June.
She was nominated by fellow Criminal Justice Department operations manager Steve Powell, who said: "Throughout her service, while she has increasingly played a strategic role, she has never lost her personal touch and the support of her staff is pivotal to her success as a manager."
Mrs Holmes received her certificate of commendation for long service from singer, actress and BBC Essex presenter Sadie Nine and Essex CJB chairman and Chief Crown Prosecutor Ken Caley at the awards ceremony on September 30.
Sc Turnbull, who was awarded a certificate of commendation in the Volunteer of the Year category, joined Essex Police Special Constabulary in March 1999.
He is based in Chelmsford. His nominator was his Special Sergeant Dawn Burton, who praised Sc Turnbull for his effectiveness in reducing the number of outstanding warrants by ensuring that every person wanted on a warrant received a visit within seven days of the warrant being issued.
SSgt Burton said: "His effectiveness can be measured by the reduction in the number of warrants, as well as from the praise and recognition from regular police colleagues."
Barbara Holmes is pictured, right, receiving her certificate from Sadie Nine. Sc John Turnbull did not attend the ceremony.
