A CALL operator who has gone above and beyond to support members of her team has been named as Police Staff of the Year 2018.

Felicity Goldspink, better known to her colleagues as ‘Flick’, is a call operator and a coach within the Public Contact Department at Cheshire Police’s HQ in Winsford.

She was presented with an Achieving Cheshire Excellence (ACE) Award at the Constabulary’s annual awards ceremony at Wychwood Park in Crewe on Friday.

The ACE Awards are the constabulary's highest accolades that can be awarded to an individual or team who has gone that extra mile or demonstrated exceptional commitment to the 'We're Here' pillars of policing in Cheshire.

Flick is responsible for coaching operators within the Force Control Centre and goes above and beyond this role to support the department in other ways.

An example of this includes developing a ‘lessons learnt’ bulletin for the whole department in order to encourage continual improvement amongst the team.

She has included a section called 'public contact stars of the month' which gives an opportunity for staff to nominate their peers for good work and recognition. This has been really well received and has been great for the morale of the team.

Flick, 31, said: “I was flabbergasted to find out I’d won this award.

“I work with a number of people who do fantastic work day in, day out because they love helping the public. And that’s why I do it - I love helping people.

“It was lovely to be nominated by my peers and to win is amazing. I was shocked more than anything else.”

Acting chief constable Janette McCormick said: “It always gives me immense pride to see the continued commitment and dedication our officers and staff have to protecting the public of Cheshire.

“We see fantastic work across the county every day, and the ACE Awards are a chance to celebrate some of this work and hear the inspirational stories which have led to officers and staff being nominated for an award.

“I would like to personally congratulate those who have won an award this year, as well as all those who were nominated by their colleagues. These awards are a great way of recognising individuals or teams who have gone that extra mile, giving them the recognition they undoubtedly deserve for their service to the constabulary and the communities of Cheshire.”

David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, added: “A huge congratulations to all of the outstanding officers, staff and volunteers that have won an award or been nominated at this year’s ACE Awards.

“Their dedication, hard work and commitment to protecting local residents ensures that Cheshire remains one of the safest places in the country to live, work and visit.

“This year, I was proud to sponsor the Community Engagement Award which celebrates the police work carried out in our communities to make positive changes.

"I have witnessed first-hand some of this fantastic work since becoming police and crime commissioner and I am proud of all the officers and staff who work tirelessly day-in day-out to deliver better outcomes for our communities.”