Top Peterborough cops amongst officers given awards at ceremony

From detectives who had gone the extra mile to bring offenders making residents’ lives a misery to justice, to officers making a difference in the force, a range of achievements were celebrated at The Chief Superintendent Commendations Ceremony last night.

DC Mat Belfitt was commended for his exceptional work on a complex operation which resulted in two convictions for conspiracy to supply class A drugs, which prevented a significant amount of illegal substances being sold on Peterborough streets..

Following a firearms operation searches were carried out at four addresses and six suspects were arrested.

DC Belfitt sifted through large quantities of evidence and took a case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). This resulted in two suspects being charged and remanded in custody.

Under pressure due to custody time limits he brought together a number of lines of enquiry including forensic and communication evidence to present to the CPS.

He displayed both diligence and professionalism in his engagement with the CPS. DC Belfitt managed this around a period of time off for a knee operation.

The two primary defendants have now pleaded guilty and received sentences of six and five and a half years.

DC Belfitt has continued the investigation securing charges against a further suspect.

This work caused significant disruption to county line drug supply in the Peterborough and Wisbech areas, as well as the destruction of a large quantity of Class A drugs.

PCs Lianna Bell and James Nicholas were awarded for their tenacity, dedication and empathy as they engaged with a Peterborough victim of domestic abuse and charged her abuser.

The officers attended an initial report of criminal damage at a property on 6 June last year. Through talking to the victim over a considerable amount of time it became clear that she had been subjected to horrendous abuse for a three-year period.

The abuse included torture, violence and depriving the victim of sleep; causing significant impact on her mental health.

Details of the abuse were later disclosed to the duty Detective Inspector and officers in dedicated domestic abuse teams, who all agreed the severity of the ordeal was unlike anything they had seen before.

The victim decided not to support further action being taken, but an evidence led prosecution was pursued which led to Jamie Buck, 34, being charged, remanded and jailed for 32 months.

Engaging with the victim and gathering evidence at an early stage protected her from further harm and potentially saved her life.

Sergeant Stuart Miller and DC Kellymarie Harman were both praised for their work on an aggravated burglary investigation.

During the incident in Farcet three men broke into the victim’s property and attacked her, breaking her arms and legs and knocking some of her teeth out.

The victim was severely traumatised, but DC Harman supported her by arranging a move away from the area and made herself available out of hours. DC Harman went above and beyond to ensure the victim felt safe to engage with the police throughout the investigation.

Sgt Miller managed a number of enquiries including a forensic strategy and complex disclosure work resulting in two suspects standing trial.

Sam Vinden, 46, of Straight Drove, Farcet was jailed for 12 years.

Sgt Miller and DC Harman’s work safeguarded the victim, ensuring their welfare, while removing the risk posed to the public by an exceptionally violent offender.

And mobile comms administrator, Michelle Edwards, was nominated for her dedication to equality, commitment to force values and for being a trailblazer for LGBT issues within the force.

Michelle has acted as an expert point of contact for colleagues dealing with LGBT issues and as an expert on policy considerations, particularly relating to Trans issues.

She has represented the constabulary both locally and nationally and has been a leader in organising an annual LGBT policing conference in Cambridgeshire.

Her work on LGBT issues has forged links and trust between police and the LGBT community at large and she has done this while successfully managing her busy day job.

Chief Superintendents Mark Greenhalgh and Chris Mead praised those who had excelled as they presented the awards.

They said: “Going that extra mile is something you should be enormously proud of.

“As we present these awards to our officers and staff, it is with a sense of pride that we read the stories of outstanding bravery, compassion and kindness towards others in very difficult circumstances, not to mention the grit and determination each and every one of you has shown.

“You have stepped up to help someone in need and gone above and beyond for the people of Cambridgeshire and your fellow colleagues. You should be incredibly proud of yourselves.”