Big congrats to Community Volunteer Joanne Lewis who was nominated for Police Volunteer of the Year Award
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Merseyside Police would like to congratulate all its officers and staff who were nominated for the 2022 BAWP (British Association for Women in Policing) awards.
The awards were hosted from Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th June at Carden Park Hotel Cheshire and Chief Constable Serena Kennedy attended alongside representatives from the force’s Gender Equality Staff Network.
This award is incredibly competitive and prestigious; to be nominated is a genuine testament to the hard work and dedication of the individual. This year Merseyside Police are delighted that so many of our amazing female officers, staff and volunteers were nominated across several categories – and extremely proud that one of our volunteers was a finalist.
Joanne Lewis has volunteered with Merseyside Police for nearly 14 years and has worked across a number of different departments. She currently volunteers with the Travelsafe.
She has made a significant contribution to the force through her years of commitment and enthusiasm for putting our communities first and continues to make a measurable difference to the force.
When asked about her time as a volunteer, Joanne, said: “As a child I wanted to be a police officer and patrol the streets of Liverpool, but due to being disabled, I can’t do that side of the job, which is why I chose to volunteer instead.
"However, I did not let my disability get in the way of volunteering for an organisation that I have always wanted to be part of. I may have to do tasks in a slightly different way to my colleagues, but the job gets done and results are achieved in the end.
“Throughout my volunteering experience, I have gained qualifications and also been nominated for a number of awards. This is my most recent nomination and I am delighted to have been nominated for the Police Support Volunteer of the Year.
“I enjoy my volunteering because volunteering for me is not just about doing a job and enjoying it, but I also enjoy the socialising aspect, which the role brings as well.”
This year the BAWP event organisers say they "received an unprecedented number of nominations once again and the standard was exceptionally high. To be nominated shows how highly regarded the nominee is considered across the difference forces”. The awards committee also said they were "humbled to assess such worthy nominations".
Congratulations to all the other individuals across the force who were nominated for a 2022 BAWP awards:
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Mary Donnellan
- Special Recognition – Steve Cooke
- Community Service - Nicola Parsons
- Community Service – Claire Woodcock
- Excellence in Performance – Jane Oliver
- Police Staff Member of the Year – Eve Lancaster
- Police Volunteer of the Year – Laura Hart
- Inspirational Woman – Lisa Ledder
- Leadership – Kath Topham
- Leadership – Lyndsey Nelson
- Lifetime Achievement – Hayley Sherwen
- Excellence in Performance – Tamsin Chambers
- Leadership – Nicola Taylor
- Inspirational Woman – Leanne Hobin
- Excellence in Performance – Louise Hooley
- Lifetime Achievement – Joanne Sheedy
- Police Volunteer of the Year – Sarah Tomlinson
- Community Service – Sarah Robinson