A Special Constable has been presented with the Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s prize for best third year project in policing and Criminal Investigation at Staffordshire University.
Special Constable Danielle Boothby won the award after receiving the highest overall mark for her project focusing on human trafficking in the UK. Danielle met Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis to discuss her accomplishment and be presented with a cash prize which Mr Ellis donated personally.
Mr Ellis said: “The dedication and commitment Danielle has shown to both her Special Constable role and her studies is fantastic. Specials make a massive contribution to society and provide an important link between the police and local communities. I would like to wish Danielle all the best for her future and thank her for all her efforts.”
Special Constable, Danielle Boothby said: “I would like to thank my personal tutors at Staffordshire University’s policing department, for their continued support through what has been the most challenging but happiest time of my life. I could not have achieved this without them. Special thanks to my husband David, close family and friends for always believing in my ability. Finally, I would also like to thank the Police and Crime Commissioner for my award and the Staffordshire Police Special Constabulary for their support over the last five years.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis instigated a new approach to the Special Constabulary in Staffordshire in 2014. It aims to improve the service even further including longer and more comprehensive training for existing and new Specials, better equipment and more chances to widen the policing activities they are involved with.
The Special Constabulary is a force of trained volunteers who work with and support their local police.
Special Constables are police officers. They have the same powers as and work alongside, regular police officers to tackle crime and support our communities. Special Constabulary colleagues undertake a myriad of activity and roles as they work alongside regular officers and staff to helping keep communities safe and reassured. There are currently over 400 Specials in Staffordshire. For more details visit the Specials website.
In December the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner held the first ever Modern Slavery conference in Staffordshire to highlight this often hidden crime, which includes human trafficking.
The half-day event at Staffordshire County Showground in Stafford featured speakers including Paul Broadbent, Chief Executive of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and Helen Gordos from the UK Human Trafficking Centre. Mr Ellis also spoke at the conference, attended by 500 people, and urged the audience to help raise awareness about Modern Slavery.
Modern slavery can take many forms including the trafficking of people, forced labour, servitude and slavery. Victims can be men, women and children but it is most common amongst the vulnerable, and within minority or socially excluded groups. Approximately two-thirds of victims are women, and a third are men. Every fourth victim of modern slavery is a child.
Supporting victims and witnesses is one of four key priorities in the Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis’ Safer, Fairer United Communities strategy for more local and effective policing in the county.
The new Staffordshire Victim Gateway was launched at the start of September to put the needs of victims and witnesses at the heart of the criminal justice system. Information is available on the Victim Gateway website or by ringing 0330 0881 339.
Further information and access to the conference presentations can be found here
