Devon police heroes honoured for remarkable acts on and off duty

Six members of the police force who have gone above their line of duty to make Torbay a safer place have been honoured in an inspiring awards ceremony - including a female officer dubbed the ‘Yorkshire Terrier’ who grabbed an offender as he walked past the local nick while she was eight months pregnant.

Exceptional examples of how police officers, staff and volunteers have gone the extra mile were acknowledged at the recent and second annual Recognition of Excellence in Policing Awards at Sandy Park Conference Centre in Exeter.

Police Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez gave her heartfelt thanks to the recipients across 19 varied categories. 

Commissioner Hernandez said: “It is a privilege to have supported these awards again which recognise the exceptional efforts and achievements within Devon & Cornwall Police. I have heard incredible stories of how police officers, staff and volunteers have gone above and beyond to keep communities safe, bring perpetrators to justice and protect victims. 

“They do not always get the credit they deserve for going that extra mile, especially in highly complex and challenging policing specialisms. I would personally like to thank everyone within the force who is helping to provide a police service that people can trust and have confidence in.” 

Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “It was an honour to present these awards. I was humbled to hear their stories, and it is only right that they are recognised for how they serve our communities with competence, compassion and a common-sense approach.”

Nominations were submitted from across the force, alongside endorsements from partner agencies.  

Awards included: 

Patrol Officer of the Year 

Police Constable Nicola Page 

PC Page has dedicated her entire 26 year career to frontline patrol policing. In 1998, she joined Devon & Cornwall Police as a Patrol Officer in Torbay.  

She quickly adopted the nickname ‘The Yorkshire Terrier’ for never giving up on a lead in a case. Even when she was eight months pregnant, PC Page didn’t think twice about springing to action when she saw a well-known suspect walking past the police station.  

Single-handedly she arrested and detained the suspect and brought him into custody Sergeant. In 2013, PC Page moved to Penzance. In her award nomination, she has been described as the first to understand, the first to adapt, first to respond, and the first to overcome any situation.  

She has been applauded for tirelessly demonstrating unfailing courage and persistence in the face of obstacles, never giving up, being a consummate team player and being an inspiration to one and all. 

Detective of the Year 

Detective Constable Jon Stephens 

Over the previous 12 months, DC Stephens’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences investigations have produced in excess of 30 years’ worth of sentences on conviction for serious offenders. 

These high-profile cases have provided justice for victims, safeguarded the public, and boosted confidence in policing and the wider criminal justice system. 

DC Stephens’s perseverance recently secured a forced marriage protection order, safeguarding a young female who was to be sent abroad for marriage. He also recently secured a Sexual Risk Order  as part of investigation into a child sex abuser who committed digital and contact offences against many victims across the UK.  

In his award nomination, DC Stephens has been described as an exceptional detective with a meticulous and common-sense approach, as well as having tenacity, compassion, and having victims at the heart of everything. 

Unsung Hero of the Year  

Paul Jacobs 

For the past two years, Paul has been the single point of contact with the Victim ID and Child Abuse Image Database for Devon & Cornwall Police. His role is to help identify children who are being sexually abused, and review and grading all child sexual abuse material referred to the force. 

Last year, it involved reviewing more than 750 indecent images and videos to assess. His incredibly import – yet traumatic and highly challenging role – has helped police obtain warrants more swiftly and identify child victims across the world more quickly – preventing them from further sexual abuse and safeguarding them. 

Paul also provides invaluable and has led on significant and critical organisational change, including introducing new IT processes that have resulted in Devon & Cornwall Police being named a 'best practice' force by the National Crime Agency. 

Trainer of the Year 

Stephanie-Sue Bangay 

Stephanie-Sue Bangay is a forensic trainer and highly valued member of the forensics training team, in addition to being a Crime Scene Investigator. Her knowledge and practical skills ensure that critical evidence is recovered and preserved correctly. 

In her award nomination she is described as being an exceptional advocate for Devon & Cornwall Police, a huge asset to policing and a wonderful morale booster. 

Police Staff Investigator of the Year 

Helen Pring 

Helen has been a highly valued member of Devon & Cornwall police staff for more than 20 years. She has been in her current role as a CID Police Staff Investigator on CID for the past four years, and has investigated numerous complex and serious crimes.  

Police Enquiry Officer of the Year 

Vanessa Preston 

At Newton Abbot Police Station, Vanessa has been praised for going above and beyond to help members of the public so that they leave the station feeling they have been heard, looked after and given the best service available. 

An example is having reunited a young man with their ID who had witnessed a traumatic incident and was one of the first on scene. He gave his coat to the victim and then the coat had to be forensically examined.  

Unfortunately, his ID was in his coat which he needed to fly hours later to Scotland for a family wedding.  

Vanessa didn't stop knocking on doors and making calls until authorisation was given for his ID to be returned, just in time. 

Another example is when £1,000 was found in a London park and handed to the relevant police station there. It belonged to a Devon student. Vanesssa didn't stop making enquiries until she found the station where the money was and arranged for its return to the extremely grateful student. 

In her award nomination, Vanessa has been described as being tireless, conscientious and dependable.