Neighbourhood officer wins national women in policing award

A Neighbourhood Officer from Stevenage has won the British Association for Women in Policing (BAWP) - Officer of the Year award.

PC Amy Hunter, who won the constabulary’s Neighbourhood Officer of the Year accolade in 2023, attended a special presentation ceremony in Cheshire on Monday 3 June to receive her award.

She said: “I feel so incredibly honoured to have received this award, and to have been selected to stand alongside some of the most incredible women who were also receiving accolades.

“I honestly never thought I’d achieve anything like this so I’m still a bit shocked but delighted that the role of Neighbourhood Officer can make such an impact on policing.”

Amy was nominated by her Sergeant Matt McGinnigle, who explained his decision to put Amy forward: “Amy demonstrates the key role neighbourhood officers play in community cohesion and problem solving.

“It is her unrelenting sense of victim care, emotional intelligence, consistent high standards and personal engagement, that make her an exceptional officer. These all combine to ensure every interaction - be it fleeting or over a period of years - leaves the public with a more positive impression of the police than they had before.

“She works to a consistently high standard, for the benefit of the community, victims and partner agencies.

“Amy recently led on a two-year project of demand reduction and community engagement, working to reduce the number of hoax calls from a mental health unit, whilst also improving the protection of staff there. With a Prevention First focus, her work resulted in a 50% reduction in calls and a significant improvement in the local NHS and police relationship, with staff feeling safer, empowered and supported.

“Despite a high workload, attending community events and supporting communities - and an inherent need to offer the highest service - she selflessly continues to go above and beyond.

“Amy is involved in an information and problem-solving sharing partnership with the New York Police Department, she is seeking to undertake British Sign Language training to improve engagement with even more communities and is driving ongoing school engagement and education under Op Educ8.

“She has voluntarily become a Wellbeing Champion, using her inter-personal skills to support all her colleagues and she is also a tutor, establishing the highest standards and ethics in students.

“The organisation couldn’t hope for someone more representative of a modern police service; she puts care, compassion, harm reduction and victim service at the heart of everything she does.”

Stevenage Chief Inspector Graeme Walsingham added: “I am absolutely delighted that Amy has won this award, she is truly deserving and a standout officer. I’d like to thank her for everything she has contributed to policing so far, especially the Stevenage community.”

Amy pictured receiving Neighbourhood Officer of the Year accolade