Officers of Distinction

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06 July 2018

The British Security Industry Association's Security Personnel Awards has seen Securitas staff recognised in three categories. Meanwhile, three Axis Security Officers have been rewarded for their courage and commitment at the  ACS Pacesetters Awards.

Officers of Distinction

Three Axis Security Officers have been recognised with ACS Pacesetters Security Officer of Distinction Awards at the ACS Pacesetters Achievement Awards Luncheon.

The awards were presented to Security Officers who have excelled in their duties and, at times, risked their own safety to save others.

Nicola Powell from Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre was recognised for her actions and diligence in preventing a potential child sexual exploitation case. An incident occurred at 4:30am on a November morning when Powell was conducting a site patrol, and was informed of a young girl in the nearby bus stop. Powell invited the girl into the office for a hot drink and took her details, as well as contacting the girl’s mother and the police. It was found that the 10-year old girl had befriended someone online who had paid a bus ticket for her to leave home and go to London. Nicola’s actions prevented potentially awful consequences for the girl and her family.

Scott Forsyth and Aminul Chowdhury, Axis Security Officers from Woking Shopping Centre, were also recognised for their bravery in preventing a male suicide attempt on Christmas Eve.

Forsyth and Chowdhury attempted to engage in conversation with the man who was agitated and refused to speak with the police when they arrived. Forsyth and Chowdhury were able to restrain him, after which he was taken to the police station for assessment under the Mental Health Act.

David Mundell, MD of Axis Security, said: “We are pleased to see that Nicola, Scott and Aminul have been recognised for their outstanding work and we congratulate them on winning Distinction Awards. I’d also like to give a mention to Gary Ebejer and Luke Radford who were also nominated, they too would have been worthy winners.”

The ACS judges received in excess of 60 nominations covering exceptional work and individual acts of bravery, and due to a tie in nominations, the number of security officers to be given the status was increased from 12 to 14.

The 5th ACS Pacesetters Achievement Awards Lunch took place on Wednesday 23rd May 2018.

BSIA Awards

Presented regionally and nationally, security personnel are recognised in five categories; Service to the Customer, Outstanding Act, Best Use of Technology, Best Team and Best Newcomer.

Securitas officers, Ramraj Sooknanan and Matt Bolger, have been successful in the Service to the Customer category. Sooknanan has worked at his client site for 24 years,. Bolger started work on his client site in 2014 and his professionalism has seen him progress quickly and establish himself as a key part of the security team.

Samantha Golding, Service Delivery Manager, has received the Best Newcomer award. Starting as a relief officer in 2017, Golding's has been promoted from officer to Service Delivery Manager in a short space of time.

Alison Ridge and David Prosser have been recognised in the category of Outstanding Act. The pair administered life saving CPR, including use of a defibrillator, to an individual who had collapsed on site. Their timely actions proved vital, whilst waiting for emergency services to attend the scene. 

James Kelly, Chief Executive of the BSIA said: “It is important that we recognise the true value of security personnel, who are often the first responders in times of emergency and play a vital role in keeping the public safe."

All regional winners progress to the national finalist stage of the British Security Awards, to be held in London on 11 July.

Picture: Securitas officer, Ramraj Sooknanan.

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 06 July 2018

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