Page 16 - WMPF Federation Dec-Jan 2021_Neat
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Force ceremony




         Then West Midlands Police
         Federation chair Jon Nott (left) with
         Phil Kingsley at the awards
         ceremony.































       Phil wins Diamond Award





       “Humbled” Phil Kingsley says he is still in   away, my phone was going mad all night. My      “I watched the footage on grainy CCTV
       disbelief after being named “Police Officer of   family were all very proud of me.”  but could see someone had dragged a
       the Year” at the annual Force Diamond Awards.       Phil’s award comes five years after he was   woman out of her car and was pretty
          He clinched the title, which is sponsored   run over by a drunk driver while on duty.  much using her as a football. We managed
       by West Midlands Police Federation, having      “We stopped a car that we thought had   to track him down and arrest him,” he
       faced a number of challenges since joining   the drunk driver in, but it turned out to be a   added.
       the Force 18 years ago including being run   man who had done a double shift at his      “The thing is, when I’m passionate
       over by a drunk driver.              family restaurant and was just tired. We told   about making a difference, I can get a bit
          Phil, who was nominated by his former   him to get himself a coffee and make sure he   obsessed – in fact, I can probably be a bit
       sergeant, says the award is even more   got home in one piece and then the next   of a nightmare to work with – but
       poignant following such a tough 18 months.  thing we knew, a drunk driver had ploughed   everyone knows that.
         I was shocked. A friend texted to tell me.   into us,” he explains.      a good team. This award wasn’t just for
                                                                                   “I’m lucky that I’ve always been part of
          “When I found out I had been nominated,
       everyone. Without a doubt, I have received  “ I’m very lucky to do       me, it’s for my colleagues too.”
       Then I found out I’d made the top three and I

                                                                                   Working as part of the neighbourhood
       was so surprised, in a good way,” recalls Phil.
                                                  the job I do.
                                                                                team that covers Smethwick, Phil says he is

          “It’s been a challenging few years for
       this award on behalf of the whole team.”                           “     always keen to get to know the community
                                                                                and helping to improve their lives.
          The Police Officer of the Year award falls      Phil, who was seriously injured as a result      “We arrested a group of drug dealers
       under “Employee of the Year”, a category that   of the incident and is still managing those   and got them evicted from the house. The
       is sponsored by the Police Federation and   injuries, was off work for 12 months, but   estate is nice now and all the residents are
       recognises outstanding service by individuals   admits he returned back to the job as soon as   really grateful to us,” said Phil.
       who go over and above what is required by   he could.                       “It’s nice when we can make lives
       their job.                              “The officer I was working with couldn’t   better. We try to get into the families nice
          Phil received his award at this year’s   go back to the job,” he added, “But I knew I’d   and early, doing home visits to those kids
       ceremony, which took place on 30 September   rather be on the frontline than sitting behind   we know have an interest in joining the
       - the first in two years, after last year’s event   a desk. Plus, I’d never had a day off, so sitting   police. We really like to engage with the
       was cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic.   at home recovering in a comfy chair just   youngsters.”
          “I still can’t believe I won,” added Phil,   wasn’t for me.”             Now 53, Phil says making that major
       whose wife joined him at the event.      Another highlight of Phil’s career was   career change almost two decades ago
          The father-of-four and grandfather-of-  when he managed to track down and arrest   was the best thing he ever did.
       one added: “My wife was straight on social   an offender who had violently attacked a sex      He ended: “I’m very lucky to do the job I
       media. So everyone knew I had won straight   worker.                     do.”

       16       federation  December 2021/January 2022                            www.polfed.org/westmids
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