Police Now launches Alumni Impact Awards: 2022 winners announced
Tuesday 13 December 2022
Police Now’s first ever Alumni Impact Awards officially launched this year, to recognise officers across the country who have gone above and beyond to support their communities, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and build public confidence in the police service.
Detective Constable Colette Daoud of the Metropolitan Police Service was the overall winner, for her work to bring a serial sexual offender to justice. Four additional officers, who have all graduated from Police Now’s two-year National Graduate Leadership Programme in forces across the country, were highly commended in the awards.
Applications for Police Now’s National Graduate Leadership Programme are currently open for graduates who want to help build a more diverse police service and transform communities rocked by anti-social behaviour and crime.
WINNER: Detective Constable Colette Daoud, Metropolitan Police Service
DC Colette Daoud won the Alumni Impact Award for her tireless efforts to bring a prolific sexual offender to justice, who was sentenced to 16 and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of rape, assault by penetration, assault by occasioning actual bodily harm and robbery.
After a particularly violent and horrific attack was reported to the police, Colette made numerous investigative enquiries, including collecting DNA and CCTV evidence, conducting witness and victim statements as well as discussing the case on BBC’s Crimewatch series in a bid to identify the suspect and bring him to justice. She was able to link her evidence to another case and made a DNA match.
Colette won the award not only for her exemplary investigative skills in this complex case and her commitment to eradicating Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), but also for the incredible level of care and support she offered the victim. She was praised by her force colleagues, the Crown Prosecution Service and the National Crime Agency for her work.
Alumni Impact Award winner, DC Colette Daoud & Police Now's Chief Executive Officer, Kurtis Christoforides
HIGHLY COMMENDED:
Police Constable James Whild, West Midlands Police
James proactively worked alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner to introduce and trial Naloxone, a first-aid medication which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. In March 2020, James began rolling out Naloxone in his ward and led the evaluation of a pilot study in Birmingham City Centre alongside his day-to-day role as a neighbourhood police officer.
Since then, he has worked alongside academics to increase the evidence base for the use of this medication and is now one of the key experts on police use of Naloxone nationally.
James is now supporting other police forces across the UK as they begin to introduce Naloxone. These forces have reported positive usage of Naloxone, stating lives have been saved.
Police Constable Jacob Davies, Metropolitan Police Service
Jacob gathered intelligence and led police patrols after a spate of particularly violent robberies in Feltham Park, resulting in the arrest and conviction of six offenders and the recovery of high-value items. He also worked to alter the design and surveillance of the park to ensure it was a safer place for residents.
Jacob worked with the charity ‘No Shame in Running’ to set up a number of youth activities to divert young people away from crime and engaged with families in the area to help them recognise key indicators of knife crime and child criminal exploitation.
Police Constable Jacob Davies said: “As a neighbourhood police officer on Police Now’s programme, I’ve had the opportunity to work in some fantastic teams and make an impact in society from the very start of my policing career. I’ve particularly enjoyed working closely with local youth violence reduction charities to increase the positive diversionary activities available to vulnerable young adults.”
Police Constable Josh Rai, West Midlands Police
Josh was nominated for his dedication to community policing and his incredible motivation to improve his own policing skills and knowledge.
Working on Operation Hercules to tackle illegal street racing in the West Midlands, he worked hard to quickly become a subject matter expert and proactively seek development opportunities from specialist officers in force. He not only applied his skills on the frontline but also imparted his knowledge to others at every opportunity, visiting neighbourhood policing teams around the force to offer regular input and training to his colleagues.
Josh further worked alongside community partners and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office to develop a ground-breaking new course to divert young drivers away from dangerous driving, demonstrating excellent multi-agency work and dedication to the issues affecting his community.
Police Constable Isabella Schofield, Sussex Police
Isabella ran an operation to secure charges against an individual for stalking, trespass with intent to cause sexual offences and voyeurism – with over 30 victims reported in her neighbourhood.
Through collaboration with policing colleagues, media campaigns, leaflet drops, patrolling with surveillance teams, gathering CCTV footage and witness statement, and using facial recognition technology, she was able to identify a suspect.
Applications for Police Now’s National Graduate Leadership Programme are currently open. To read about the impact that Police Now officers are making nationally, please click here.
