Ferndown’s Julian Humphries is Police Officer of the Year

Ferndown Police Constable Julian Humphries, is Dorset’s ‘Officer of the Year’.

PC Humphries of East Dorset’s Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), was awarded first place at The Dorset Rotary Police Community Awards 2015 at a ceremony which took place at Meyrick Hall on Saturday 25 April.

Police Sergeant Dave Kewley, of Bournemouth’s SNT, and Police Constable Scott McGregor, of Bridport’s SNT, were awarded second and third places respectively.

The event, hosted by Ferndown Rotary Club, saw the three Dorset Police employees awarded for their outstanding work within the community.

Dorset’s Chief Constable Debbie Simpson and Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill presented the three awards in front of guests, including the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, the Mayors of Bournemouth and Ferndown and Dorset Rotary District Governors Mike Jackson and Judy Barnard-Jones.

PC Humphries joined Dorset Police following a career in the armed forces. He is held in high regard by members of the public who live in the Heatherlands area. He is known for his involvement in local charities, in particular the ‘Bus Stop Club’, a small local charity based in the estate in Ferndown.

PC Humphries started work in the area about 10 years ago, when crime and anti-social behaviour was a problem in the area, and spearheaded the improvements seen there today. Crime has dropped to an all-time low and there is an active youth shelter and BMX track and people feel able to talk about issues to the police.

He continues to support local clubs and the Neighbourhood Watch, regularly knocking on residents’ doors for a chat. He was recently called ‘The most helpful police officer I have ever encountered’ by a resident.

On winning his award, PC Humphries said: “It is a great honour to be recognised, not only by the Force, but by an external organisation too.

“It’s a privilege to work within the communities that I do and I’m proud to have played a part, alongside local agencies, in making these improvements.”

22 of Dorset’s 31 Rotary clubs nominated one serving police officer, Police Community Support Officer or Special Constable from across the Force.

Dorset Police Chief Constable Debbie Simpson said: “I’m immensely proud of all our officers in Dorset and it’s events like this that allow us to take the time to recognise those who really give something back to the community.

“It can be easy for these outstanding acts to go unnoticed and I am truly grateful to the Rotary Club for recognising the work of our police officers, staff and volunteers.

“The awards represent the work done across Dorset every day to make it such a safe place.”

Derrick Powell, President of Ferndown Rotary club, said: “We thought it was high time that there was an event that recognised not only the good work done by the police force in Dorset but also the excellence of the people in the Force.

“They are the people who, despite sometimes in very difficult and/or dangerous circumstances, provide a valuable public service that can be taken for granted.

“At the very least, all the Rotary clubs in the county would want this award to become an annual Dorset event, at best we will do all we can to ensure that it progresses to becoming a national one.”