Inspector is outstanding roads police officer
A SOUTH Yorkshire Police inspector has been named the overall winner at this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Road Policing Awards.
The awards night, held during the Roads Policing Conference, recognises officers for making “meritorious and outstanding” contributions to the roads policing portfolio during the last 12 months.
Inspector Craig Clifton (pictured) was singled out as the overall winner for making “significant contributions at all levels of roads policing”, from crime intervention and road safety policy, to serious collision investigation and vehicle procurement.
As well as leading a team of 80 staff, he also takes on many extra duties, such as the role of national lead for pursuit management and development.
“He has been a pivotal part of uniting regional roads policing practice, and his work as lead review officer into serious police-related collisions has transformed national policy and support,” said the judges.
“Inspector Clifton also had the vision and drive to set up a Force Driving Standards Panel, to help reduce the number of police involved in road traffic collisions, and develop and influence driver training.”
Neil Bowles, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “Craig’s been working hard in that area of roads policing, especially around dangerous driving and pursuits. We’re very proud of the fact that he’s got the overall national award – and now he’s a Federation rep as well, assisting his colleagues.”
The awards night, sponsored by Irwin Mitchell LLP, also recognised other officers from around the country.
One of the joint runners-up was Sgt Paul Mountford, from Merseyside Police, who was nominated for the problem-solving approach he has taken over his 29-year service to tackle the numerous road safety issues facing police. In particular, he has secured additional funding for new drug-screening tests and set up courses to train 522 officers in tackling drug driving.
The other runner-up was Chief Inspector Christopher Spinks, now retired, who progressed from working on the armed response vehicle, to heading a joint Roads Policing and Firearms Operation Unit. He also negotiated an externally funded Road Casualty Reduction team for Norfolk and Suffolk constabularies, with a focus on reducing death or serious injuries involving powered two wheelers.