A HOST of Herefordshire police officers and staff have been rewarded for their hard work and dedication to the county.

No fewer than 20 county-based members of the West Mercia Constabulary were honoured during the Quality People awards at police headquarters in Hindlip, Worcester.

Detective Sergeants Mark Peters and Martyn Barnes scooped the Manager of the Year – Police Officer and Criminal Investigator of the Year titles respectively.

Det Sgt Peters has managed Hereford’s Pro-active team for three years, bringing many complex drugs cases to court.

Det Sgt Barnes, meanwhile, has headed a number of investigations into serious crime in Herefordshire and was described by Chief Constable Paul West as a ‘first class detective’.

It was a night of celebration for PC Jim Mooney, who was recognised for his 27- year role as a Federation representative.

Kathy Letby, a command team secretary, saw success in the Chief Constables’ Trophy for her ability to adapt to differing roles ranging from a public protection unit clerk to a personnel administrator.

Elsewhere, Herefordshire’s Local Policing and Partnership Support Team was rewarded for tackling the sale of drugs from homes across the county.

The team is made up of Sergeant Phillip Edwards, plus Community Support Officers Emily Cooke, Katie Middleton, Kris Cooke, John Mackie and Adam Michniok.

The Local Policing Team in Leominster was also recognised for reducing antisocial behaviour in the town.

Its members include Sergeant Michael Doolan, PCs Paul O’Reilly and Tracy Lewis, along with CSOs Gareth Maddox, Edward Wells and Christina Howard.

CSO Fiona Witcher received a High Sherriff’s award for her work in the south of the county in the past 18 months. PC Paul O’Reilly was Community Beat Officer of the Year.

Dean Kibble was Special Constable Probationer of the Year and PC Christine Smith won Probationer of the Year.