‘Mr Saddleworth’ in line for police award

Uppermill and Saddleworth Area Police Officer Sgt' Craig Johnson.

A SADDLEWORTH police sergeant who puts the community’s needs first is in the running for a prestigious national award.

Sgt Craig Johnson is on the shortlist for The Lifetime Achievement Award in the Jane’s Police Review Gala Awards 2009.

The popular policeman is known as “Mr Saddleworth” having pounded the beat in the area for 20 years.

The honour commends an officer in the last year of their service with the winner receiving an engraved glass award and a voucher for £500.

As a young constable he had an outstanding arrest record for greater Manchester Police (GMP), earning two chief constable’s citations of merit.

He helped police the miners’ strikes armed, like many of his colleagues, with nothing more than a truncheon and a bin lid.

And Sgt Johnson has been injured on duty while arresting offenders on numerous occasions — but this has never affected his ability to do the job.

Ian Seabridge, an assistant chief constable at GMP, said: “Being a visible presence in the streets ensures Sgt Johnson’s popularity with the locals and contributes to his success in locating and detaining offenders with incredible speed.

“He is a 24 hours a day, seven days a week police officer and has often forfeited days off, even major family holidays, to meet the needs of his community.”

David Hanson MP, Minister for State for Policing, Crime and Counter Terrorism, will present all nominees with an engraved medal and announce the winners at the ceremony at London’s Hilton Park Lane Hotel on October 28.

It is the only national awards for recognising and rewarding excellence in policing in the United Kingdom.

The most senior and influential figures from the policing community will be present and it will be hosted by news presenter Huw Edwards.

Judges say the nominations received this year are outstanding.

Jane’s Police Review editor, Chris Herbert, said: “The awards are a great opportunity to recognise the work carried out by the UK’s police forces and reward those that go that extra mile to carry out their duties.”

Other categories include community police officer of the year, student police officer of the year, community support officer of the year and diversity in action award.