‘Kind and caring’ Matthew named police cadet of the year

Matthew Hares, a member of the Melton Mowbray Cadet Unit, learned about his prestigious award while watching a presentation ceremony conducted by senior officers online to observe Covid social distancing requirements.

Matthew was nominated by his local cadet leader because of his willingness to volunteer at every opportunity, including one incident where he came across an elderly lady who had become unwell at a bus stop and stayed with her for three hours until an ambulance arrived, offering reassurance and support to her.

He said he was ‘honoured’ to get the recognition in the annual awards scheme, adding: “When I first joined Leicestershire Police, as a volunteer police cadet in 2018, I felt so proud to wear the uniform and to be representing Leicestershire Police by serving my local community and helping out at events.

“I am still very proud to be wearing that same uniform and to be serving my local community in any possible way.”

Matthew, who also said he was ‘extremely privileged’ to serve as the next High Sheriff Cadet for Leicestershire in 2021, added: “I would like to thank my cadet Leaders, William and Helen, for nominating me to be Cadet of the Year for 2020 and supporting me through the years of being a police cadet.”

The ceremony was held virtually for the first time, to allow the force to celebrate and honour the hard work, dedication and bravery of its officers, staff and volunteers in a safe way.

Award nominees, their friends, families and the wider force were invited to tune in to the virtual show, hosted by Chief Constable Simon Cole and Deputy Chief Constable Rob Nixon.

Another worthy winner was Police Support Volunteer Lynn Ashton, who volunteers her time to support the force’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), Juniper Lodge.

Lynn was named Volunteer of the Year for delivering practical and emotional support to victims of sexual assault and supporting them through every step of their journey to recovery.

The Biometrics team, made up of volunteers and special constables who assist the force with processing new applicants, picked up Volunteer Team of the Year. The team offered their services early in the pandemic to ensure the force could continue recruiting police officers and staff. In just nine days, they processed the number of applications that would usually take six months to complete.

Special Inspector James Blackburn was also recognised for the level of support he provided to the force during the pandemic. He was awarded Volunteer Leader of the Year for his role in leading the Special Constabulary to contribute over 9,000 hours of front line policing in eight weeks. James also liaised with policing commanders to ensure the special constables were deployed to the areas where they could have the most impact.

Former Special Sergeant Jamie Trusler was named Special Constable of the Year in recognition of the long hours he devoted to the force and his proactive, friendly manner. He has now joined the force full time as a Pc and looks forward to a career in policing.

The five annual awards presented to the force’s volunteers are all kindly sponsored by David and Jonathan Saville.

Go to leics.police.uk/couldyou if you’d like to learn more about volunteering opportunities with Leicestershire Police.