Members of South Wales Police Federation are being urged to nominate a colleague for a prestigious volunteering in policing award.

The Lord Ferrers Awards recognise outstanding contributions made by special constables, police support volunteers, volunteer police cadets and others who give their time to support policing.

A total of 12 individual and team awards will be presented this year.

Branch chair Steve Treharne said the work of volunteers in policing was often taken for granted.

He said: “Volunteers make an extraordinary contribution to policing in South Wales but are very much the unsung heroes of the Force which is why it is important their work is recognised by the Lord Ferrers Awards.

“I would encourage members to make a nomination to ensure the work of our Special Constables and other volunteers does not go unseen and is properly honoured.”

Nominations opened on Tuesday 7 June and will close at midnight on Wednesday 12 July.

The awards will recognise achievement in the following categories:

• Ferrers Special Constabulary – an individual award open to Special Constables who have demonstrated a sustained and significant contribution
• Ferrers Special Constabulary –  a team award open to teams of Special Constables who have demonstrated a sustained and significant contribution
• Police Support Volunteer – an individual award open to individual Police Support Volunteers who have demonstrated a significant and sustained contribution
• Police Support Volunteer – a team award open to teams of Police Support Volunteers who have worked together to make a significant and sustained contribution
• Volunteer Police Cadet – an individual award open to individual Volunteer Police Cadets who have demonstrated a significant and sustained contribution to youth led social action in support of policing and/or their communities
• Volunteer Police Cadet – a team award open to teams of Volunteer Police Cadets who have worked together to make a significant and sustained contribution to youth led social action in support of policing and/or their communities
• Employer Supported Policing Award - open to all organisations that support their local police force through facilitating their employees to volunteer in policing
• Leadership Award - Open to individual Special Constables, Police Support Volunteers and Volunteer Police Cadet Leaders who have demonstrated a significant and sustained contribution to leadership
• Innovation Award –  Open to Special Constables, Police Support Volunteers, Volunteer Police Cadets or any other volunteer involved in policing. The award recognises innovative contributions volunteers have made in support of policing and/or their communities
• Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) Volunteer –  Open to OPCC volunteers who have demonstrated a significant and sustained contribution
• Volunteering in Partnership Award – Open to Special Constables, Police Support Volunteers, Volunteer Police Cadets or any other volunteer involved in policing. This award recognises volunteers who have demonstrated a significant and positive contribution to working with others in partnership for the benefit of their communities
• Longevity Award – an individual award open to Special Constables, Police Support Volunteers, Volunteer Police Cadets or any other volunteer involved in policing. This award recognises volunteers who have demonstrated a longstanding and an exceptional contribution to policing and/or their communities over the course of their volunteering service of 30 years or more.

A panel of judges will select a winner and runner-up from each of this year’s categories in August ahead of an awards ceremony in October.

Members can download a nomination form here.