Top police award for the RSPCA’s Geoff Edmond

Geoff Edmond is RSPCA (England & Wales) National Wildlife Coordinator in his ‘day job’ but is also an incredibly valued volunteer with North Yorkshire Police too.

For that work Geoff has won a Police Support Volunteer accolade at this year’s Lord Ferrers Awards held in London.

There are many amazing volunteers involved with North Yorkshire Police and they all give their time, energy and skills for free to help in a range of different ways.

The Lord Ferrers Awards recognise outstanding contributions to volunteering in policing with various teams, individuals and initiatives honoured at the annual ceremony.

Geoff has been a valued ‘critical friend’ and support to NYP for many years, says the force, working as a volunteer since December 2018.

This is what North Yorkshire Police say about Geoff.

“Pictured above with Chief Constable Lisa Winward, he was our first NYP Lord Ferrers Award – but it will not be our last!

“Geoff is not a man who lives by a clock, he is always there to support our Rural Taskforce any time of day or night.

“He will always answer the phone and provide advice which has proven invaluable in helping us deal with many wildlife crime incidents.

“Geoff has been integral in delivering training to our Wildlife Crime Officers and colleagues from West Yorkshire Police, sharing his extensive knowledge to help us better protect our county’s wildlife and bring offenders who harm it to justice.

“Geoff is well known and highly respected for his boundless energy and enthusiasm. In partnership with ourselves, Humberside Police and many others, Geoff developed Op Seabird – an initiative to reduce wildlife crime incidents on our coastline.

“Geoff was happy just to be shortlisted for the awards and couldn’t believe it when his name was read out as the winner at the ceremony last month.

“His contributions both personally and to policing as a whole are endless and this award is extremely well-deserved.

“A huge well done and thank you to Geoff! 

If you’d like to find out about the volunteering opportunities available with NYP, search ‘North Yorkshire Police volunteering’ online.