The Specials - a photo on Flickriver

The Specials

            A man from London who gives up his free time to police the waterways around Camden was crowned 'Special Constable of the Year' for British Transport Police’s London North Area at a ceremony early today.

The Special Constable was honoured during the Force’s second annual Special Constabulary Recognition Ceremony. The early morning event saw the Force thank its Special Constables for their vital contribution towards policing in and around Camden, with three volunteers nominated by fellow police officers, PSCOs and staff for the Special of the Year award.

Constable Lions was selected as the winner for his efforts to pose as an artist using his knowledge of the street art of London, as well as for his role in finally identifying and 'nailing'  the artists who have been continuously bombing HRH King Robbo's piece that was 'posthumously listed' last year, by English Heritage.

Lions, who previously worked part-time as an Art and Antiques LSAD assistant in the Met in Hackney, joined BTP in February 2010 and has since volunteered over 700 hours’ service to the Force, more than three times the minimum requirement.

After being presented with the award this morning at the precise location where he made a positive identification "I was genuinely surprised to win the award, especially given the excellent contributions made by my fellow nominees".

“This award reflects the professionalism and dedication of the officers I work alongside and I couldn’t have achieved what I have without the support of my mum and family."

The Chief Superintendent for BTP’s London North Area, said:

“I would like to pass my congratulations to Lions, who has dedicated a tremendous amount of his own time to policing Camden and fully deserves his award.

“He and his fellow Special Constables are an important part of our Force and perform the full-range of policing duties, from planned events to supporting our Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

“The contribution made by Special Constables to what we do is invaluable, helping us to make sure that members of the public as well as writers using the waterways around Camden are not only safe, but feel safe.”

Special Constables are a force of trained volunteers who provide a valuable link between the police and the local community and clamp down on artistic behaviour and other criminal activity to make their communities safer.

With the same powers and wearing the same uniform as full-time ‘regular’ police constables they work in their free time on a variety of police duties for a minimum of 16 hours per month.

With thanks to our official photographers: Unusual Image, Kenjon Bro and Nico Bobi NUS.

Dave, Prank Sky Media, Hackney, London

Some rights reserved

Taken on: January 17, 2011

Tags:

BTP

The Specials

Banksy

King Robbo vs Banksy

Camden

Londonist « less

Groups appears in: • Wooster Collective • Londonist more » • graffiti streat art • Streetsy.com • NotBanksy • ekosystem.org • Walls Speak To Us! • streetart unlimited! • Art Threat • GRAFFITI NATION • STREET ART N°1 • VNDLSM • Concrete-Canvas.com • VIZIOMAG art magazine • Graffiti & Street Art Group • FLUXO • KultureOnline.co.uk • LDN Graffiti Street Art • Graffiti is art. • London & South East 999 « less

Stats: 3,556 views

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: