Proud to be in line for award (From Penarth Times)

Proud to be in line for award

A PENARTH bobby has been nominated for a prestigious national police award. Pc Malcolm Thomas has been put forward for the 'Community Police Officer Award for the year 2002' a national event.

Malcolm has been a community officer in Penarth for 20 of his 22 years in the force. And for the last 18 months he has been involved in a youth liaison project at Barry.

As a community officer he excelled in building up a network of local contacts and doubled the number of Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

He said: "I am very proud of being in the national awards.

I was put forward by my commanding officer and was considered to be the best representative for South Wales.

I was in the top 40 officers in the United Kingdom.

It is marvellous to be recognised for doing a job I love. There is not a day when I am not happy to go to work."

He continued by saying: "It is nice when community officers are given the recognition they deserve. We do as good a job as any other constable."

He is also a trained psychological counsellor and makes himself available day or night to assist staff if they have a problem.

There are many projects which Malcolm has started such as the Penarth Youth Project, the Stranger Danger book and a drug awareness booklet for schools.

Youth Worker and manager of the Information Shop in Penarth, Anna Jones, said: "He deserves any recognition for his contribution to our centre.

"He is a founder member and sits on the management committee."

Inspector Sid Griffith, Malcolm's commanding officer until last year said: "We are very proud of his efforts in the Penarth community.

And there is no doubt he deserves his recognition."