Special lady picks up police award
A DEDICATED voluntary policewoman travelled to Warwickshire this week to accept a Community Service Award from the British Association for Women in Policing.Michelle Robson, from Ireshopeburn, has been a special constable for Upper Weardale for nine years and was nominated by Chief Inspector Graham Rankin.
She said: ³The presentation was absolutely fantastic, a really, really proud moment.
It felt like collecting an Oscar because it was all so high powered!
³Being a special constable amongst paid police officers was wonderful recognition for the voluntary work I do.² Michelle has three children, and with her husband Steve, cares full time for three adults with learning difficulties.
As acting special constable for south of County Durham, Michelle works with schools to create understanding about the police force.
She said: ³It¹s important to work with the young people in schools because you can teach them at an early age that the police are not something to be frightened of they are mums and dads, normal people, who put on a uniform for work.² ³It felt absolutely brilliant, to be nominated and to be successful. Not just for me, but for all the special constabulary.
³That¹s a real coo for myself and for the other specials.
³My family are absolutely thrilled they are my biggest support and without them I couldn¹t do the job.
³Without my husband, Steve I couldn¹t get out and do the hours I do.
My children always support me and are very proud of what I do.
³I started doing this for them because where we live is so beautiful place for them to grow up and I want it to stay that way.
³There¹s so much going on here that it makes you want to get involved with the community.
Michelle has also found time to be the treasurer of the local Womens Institute for 14 years, is chairman of Ireshopeburn Institute, is a school governor at Wearhead primary school, and runs the local Sunday school.
She adds: ³I¹m also trying to decorate at the moment so its all pretty busy!² Michelle is also in the running for the overall Officer of the Year Award.
