Police Family Liaison Office Awards 2020
Three police FLOs have been recognised for their outstanding commitment to giving bereaved families the care they need in Brake's Police Family Liaison Officer Awards 2020.
The Award for Excellent Longstanding Service and Outstanding Officer Achievement Award received peer-nominations from police colleagues. Nominations for the Family Award came from families who had been supported by an FLO.
The awards were presented at a digital ceremony on Friday 20 November 2020.
Outstanding Officer Achievement Award
Winner: PC Tracy Herron, West Midlands Police
PC Herron was commended by the judges for:
- Her honest and concise interactions with families, enabling her to retain their confidence even when delivering unpalatable information.
- Her excellent communication skills in effectively managing families’ expectations and ensuring due consideration is given to their wishes.
- Actively participating in identifying and developing best practice, ensuring the best possible methods are researched and introduced.
Highly commended:
- PC Neil Chadburn, Devon and Cornwall Police
- PC Louise Warhurst, Greater Manchester Police
Also shortlisted:
- PC Grant Court, West Mercia Police
- PC Lewis Carpenter, West Mercia Police
The work of all FLOs in providing care to families when they need it most is essential and Brake is proud to work alongside them through our National Road Victim Service. We were delighted to receive so many exceptional entries for this year’s FLO Awards. Each entrant is an inspiring example of the guidance and support that FLOs provide every day.
Tracey Lister, manager, National Road Victim Service
Award for Excellent Longstanding Service
Winner: PC Kurt Timpson, Merseyside Police
PC Timpson was commended by the judges for:
- Acting as a mentor to other FLOs and developing training material to help them in their new roles.
- His commitment to FLO continual professional development.
- His high performance and dedication not only to the families he works with but also investigation of road traffic collisions, and enforcement and education of ‘Fatal 5’ offences.
Highly commended:
- PC Neil Chadburn, Devon and Cornwall Police
- PC Grant Sleight, Dorset Police
Also shortlisted:
- PC Nicola Greenhalgh, Greater Manchester Police
- PC Nicola Welton, Cumbria Constabulary
Family Award
Winner: PC Nick Johns, Cumbria Constabulary
PC Johns was commended by the judges for:
- Going above and beyond to alleviate the stress that the nominating family was exposed to following a road death.
- His compassion and commitment meaning the nominating family felt supported at every stage of the process.
- The nominating family also praised him for helping them work through their emotions in a healthy way, and said he has become a “massive part of their lives” during and after the case.
Highly commended:
- PC Jim Roberts, West Mercia Police
Awards sponsors
Birchall Blackburn Law
“We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Brake Family Liaison Officer Awards again. It is an important event that honours and acknowledges the amazing work of a remarkable group of police officers. It is work that is often unsung and is done behind the scenes with quiet dignity. Their support for families going through the toughest of times is vital. Well done to the nominees and the winners. You are all extraordinary.”
Quentin Underhill, partner and head of serious and catastrophic injury, Birchall Blackburn Law
Horwich Cohen Coghlan Solicitors
"We are very proud to sponsor these awards which pay tribute to the outstanding work undertaken by family liaison officers across the country. The support they provide to families and individuals devastated by road death and serious injury is essential. Every single one of the nominated FLOs has excelled in their duties and we congratulate all of the entrants and nominees for their vital work this year."
Martin James, chief operating officer, Horwich Coghlan (HCC) Solicitors
Simpson Millar
“The role of a family liaison officer is a unique yet vital position within police forces. It requires individuals who are willing to volunteer their time to empathetically support families who have often been catastrophically bereaved. The role requires a very special person. For this reason, we’re delighted to support Brake to recognise the worthy winners of this year’s Family Liaison Officer Awards. Congratulations to all recognised in 2020.”
Ian Powell, chief marketing officer, Simpson Millar
Slater and Gordon
“We are delighted to continue our long-standing support of the police family liaison service by once again co-sponsoring this event. We see all too often the devastation to families torn apart by road traffic crashes and the importance of the tireless work of FLOs up and down the country cannot be underestimated. Congratulations to all nominees.”
Nick Godwin, principal lawyer, serious injury, Slater and Gordon
Thank you
to our sponsors - we couldn't do it without you!