The Chief Constable's Awards 2022

This year the Chief Constable’s Awards were held at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester on Friday 4 November. The annual awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of some of Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) finest officers and staff.

Since the arrival of Chief Constable Stephen Watson in 2021, the Force has gone from strength-to-strength and its implementation of effective and ‘back to basics’ policing has made GMP one of the most improved forces and has placed it amongst the highest performing forces nationally.

The awards ceremony follows the announcement last week (28 October) that GMP had been removed by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of the Constabulary from special measures. The evening is therefore an opportunity to celebrate and showcase the vast improvements that have been made across the force and the extraordinary members of staff that belong to GMP. The achievements of this force are a direct result of the hard work, passion and tenacity of officers and staff across every district and in every branch.

GMP is humbled to have received so many nominations for the Chief Constable awards this year. The officers and staff recognised on Friday night displayed dedication to duty and are an inspiration to all. Below are the winners from each category and over the next few days we will detail more regarding the outstanding work they have been providing to the communities of Greater Manchester.

Overall winner and teamwork Award - Tactical Vehicle Interceptor Unit
Inspector Danny Kabal said: “Everyone in the team is over the moon with these awards.  My staff work tirelessly day in, day out and put themselves at huge risk every day.  Managing and preventing police pursuits to catch some of the region’s most dangerous and determined offenders is one of the most dangerous and risk-laden roles within the police.

“Winning both the Teamwork award and the Overall award is a brilliant way of the Force saying thanks to my team – it shows the risks my staff take are appreciated and it motivates us to do more.

“I also want to say thanks to the GMP fleet team and our Driver Training Unit for their continued support.  Without their help, we wouldn’t be as successful as we are.

“The Force has made a massive investment in Specialist Operations, in particular the TVIU, and this will have a huge impact on what we can do going forwards.  It will enable us to build on and increase our results and ensure we take many more villains off the streets, keeping our communities safe and making Greater Manchester a safer place to live and work.  

Problem Solving – Neighbourhood Multi Agency Prevention and Solutions Team – Rochdale
Chief Inspector Danny Atherton: “Winning this award is massive. We started from scratch around problem solving and pulled the team together as a pilot. The rest of the force has followed our lead. We’ve made a huge impact in Rochdale with young people and key callers. I’m really proud of the whole team and they thoroughly deserve this award.”

Innovation Award – Gary Pilkington
Garry Pilkington said: “I’m really surprised. It means more to my unit, as I’m not the only one who does this kind of work. I’m a small cog in a big wheel.”

Criminal Investigation of the Year Award - PC Lucy Bamber
I am so proud to have won this award, it means a lot to me. I also would like to thank some of my colleagues who helped me out on the case.

I am glad that we got justice for the victim’s in this case and that we got a dangerous individual off the street so he poses no risk to others.

Operation of the Year – Operation Valiant
Inspector Geoff Machent of GMP’s Operation Valiant team said: “It’s a fantastic honour for the team to win this award. It simply reflects the hard work and dedication that each and every one of them has put in over the past year. Our success is based on the people within our team and I’m proud to work with them every single day – keeping people safe and protecting our communities.”

PCSO of the Year – PCSO Andrew Bigland
The achievement of winning this award is the most  proudest moment of my 16 years working as a PCSO. I feel so honoured to have been nominated let alone winning it. I have been so fortunate to have the supervision that have allowed me to have a platform to carry out community work to the extent that I have over my time as a PCSO.

I feel so privileged to have this honour and I have been overwhelmed by the support that I have received and for me to be rewarded in this manner for something that I enjoy doing means the world to me. I thoroughly enjoy serving the community and thrived on the opportunity to make a difference. I am so fortunate to do a what that I enjoy and to win this award is beyond my wildest dreams.

Apprentice of the Year Award - Jade Rosevere
Jade Rosevere said: “I was completely shocked when they called my name to say that I’d won this award. When you’re busy, it’s hard to take a moment to appreciate the work you put in so winning this award is just amazing.

“My lovely boss Alison nominated me and I am so pleased to have her as a mentor – I’ve never felt so happy in a role than I do now and a large part is because of the guidance and support she’s given me, and continues to do on a daily basis.”

Student Officer of the Year Award – PC Emily Wells
Emily Wells said: ““I do really appreciate it, it has been a tough year and getting recognised has been a highlight for me personally to progress my career in the best possible way.”

Staff of the Year Award – James Tym
James Tym said: “I’m incredibly proud to have won the award, I’ve honestly not stopped smiling since it was announced. I was really shocked that I had won, as I felt that I was part of a larger team effort and was just doing my job. Equally, I'm very proud to have been recognised for my efforts over the last year, particularly as I’ve managed a busy work schedule whilst studying part-time for my masters.

“I think it’s important to recognise my colleagues and senior leadership team. Even across GMP, the praise, support, and encouragement that I’ve received has been beyond anything I could ever imagine. I also think it's important that I recognise, praise and thank my colleagues for all their support and for what we’ve achieved together, particularly with staffing challenges over the last year. Many people have been a part of all the work over the last year. 

“I love my job, no two days are the same, and I thoroughly enjoy the variety and challenges that each day bring.”

Police Officer of the Year Award – Chris Julian
“I would like to thank members of my Senior Leadership Team who nominated me for this award. I feel both honoured, and overwhelmed to be recognised as Police Officer of The Year for Greater Manchester Police. This is a significant achievement for me, and one which I will remember for many years to come.

"I have been extremely fortunate to work within many teams, and both for, and alongside some fantastic people. I have learnt an awful lot from many of those colleagues, who have helped me develop into the officer I am today. Congratulations to the other individuals, and teams who were both nominated, and won awards. Fingers crossed, I’ll be fortunate enough to be shortlisted for other awards in the future!”

Bravery Award – PC Paul S
Paul S said: “There was a primary school close by and there was a man who was clearly intoxicated and without thinking about the body armour or what units were close by, I was just myself and doing what any other GMP officer would do in that situation. I think from the training and supervision I have been given within this force, I was well equipped to deal with any situation that comes my way.

“I have to give credit to my first ever tutor 16 years ago, who is now an Inspector in the Public Investigation Unit. His enthusiasm has set me off on the right foot and made me what I am today.

“I would like to thank everyone who has guided my career to make me the police officer that I am today, someone that really cares about our values and serving the public especially vulnerable people that we have the privilege of helping every day.”

Congratulations to all our winners!

Chief Constable Stephen Watson said: "Everyone here is a winner, you are fantastic, I and my colleagues are so proud of you and GMP right now. Look after the public, look after each other, and look after yourselves."