A police officer from Leicestershire has won a national award for delivering outstanding neighbourhood policing to the community he serves in the West End of Leicester.
Chief Constable Simon Cole presents award PC Matt Eld
Image courtesy of Leicestershire Police
PC Matthew Eld, known to many as Matt, is the beat officer for the Westcotes neighbourhood in Leicester. He has won the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s ‘Community Police Officer of the Year Award’ after being nominated by his sergeant.
Matt received his award last night (Tuesday 5 March) at Hinckley Island Hotel with the other winners from across the country and celebrated with a dinner.
Matt said: “I am honoured to receive this national award and very grateful for the recognition.
“I thoroughly enjoy my job and look forward to many more years on the beat in the West End of Leicester. Thank you!”
This isn’t the first time Matt has been noticed for his hard work. Only a few months ago Matt was nominated by the public for ‘Beat Bobby of the Year’ award.
Matt’s work goes beyond policing, he identifies ‘wider’ issues affecting his beat, including working with internal and external partners and is known for taking personal ownership in seeing things through to conclusion.
Most importantly, Matt is learning Polish in his own free time to assist in improved communication with his community members.
Learning Polish has enabled Matt to build a strong network with ‘Project Polska’, a community organisation which works towards improving social and cohesion and wellbeing of the Polish community in Leicestershire.
Breaking down barriers within the community has enabled Matt to earn the trust of local businesses and residents.
Sergeant Spencer Dyer, who nominated him, said: “Matt consistently demonstrates exceptional enthusiasm and passion as a neighbourhood officer. He has an excellent relationship with key members of his community and is always willing to support colleagues and provide valuable advice.
Inspector Rob Randell, who endorsed the nomination, said: “All police officers are expected to have an understanding of diverse communities and Matt has gone above and beyond this.
“He understands the demographic by becoming part of the community and has successfully demonstrated positive
Simon Cole the chief constable of Leicestershire Police said. “Matthew is a fantastic example of how local neighbourhood officers can make a difference to their communities. The force is extremely proud of his achievement and it is thoroughly deserved.”
More awards
Neighbourhood officers honoured at inaugural Local Policing Awards ceremony
The efforts of response teams, call handlers, PCSOs and Special Constables across the country were recognised at the first ever National Local Policing Awards.
Leicestershire Chief Constable Simon Cole, who presented the awards as part of the National Police Chiefs ‘Council’s conference on local policing, said they were: “an opportunity to celebrate the innovative and valuable work that is undertaken daily throughout Local Policing to ensure that our communities are safe from harm.”
Officers from Essex Police won the award for Response Team of the Year for their work on a number of high profile, serious, and emotionally challenging incidents, as well as targeting and tackling gang activity.
The officers from Chelmsford Local Policing Team’s C Shift were the first on scene following the murder of John Pordage in August 2017 while two members of the team were injured by a woman with a knife found to be in mental health crisis in December of the same year.
Sergeant Kiersten Knott of West Yorkshire Police won Response Officer of the Year for having demonstrated great leadership, strength and resilience that resulted in the arrest and conviction of a male for abduction and assault of a child.
PC Matthew Eld, beat officer for the Westcotes neighbourhood in Leicester, won the Community Police Officer of the Year Award. He was recognised for going above and beyond to identify ‘wider’ issues affecting his beat, including working with internal and external partners. He has even begun learning Polish to improve his links with part of the local community.
Other categories included Outstanding Contribution to Child Centred Policing;
Innovation in Community Policing, PCSO of the Year and Call Handler of the Year.
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