A POLICE Constable from Tameside who combines catching criminals with being a Family Liaison Officer has received a special award.
PC Tracy Hallworth was named GMP’s Police Officer of the Year at the Chief Constable’s annual awards at the Etihad Stadium.
She works as a response officer in Stockport, where, along with her colleagues, she recently arrested four men carrying machetes in the town centre.
On another call-out, a male suspect tried to push her out of a window while he was being arrested.
Tracy was nominated for her award by Inspector John Barber, who described her as ‘consistently exemplary’.
PC Hallworth said she was ‘absolutely delighted’ to receive the award and explained the ‘sense of accomplishment’ she gets in doing a job she loves.
“I have been on response for the last 15 years and still have pride and a sense of accomplishment in doing my job,” Tracy admitted.
“I still get emails every year from a teenage girl that I talked down from a bridge. I have lost count of the amount of jobs where a calm demeanour makes the difference between significant harm and a place of safety for the individual involved.
“It is not always an easy role and it’s certainly not ‘just a job’. It’s a vocation and there is no other job like it – I couldn’t sit behind a desk all day.
“I cannot express enough that the role of response officer is exhilarating, sometimes heart-breaking but mostly rewarding, and I am lucky to be part of an amazing team with fantastic supervision.
PC Hallworth used to manage a supermarket before she joined the Greater Manchester force in her mid-30s – a decision she said she has ‘not regretted for a minute’.
Based at Cheadle Heath Police Station, she can be called to any part of Stockport as a response officer, as well as being on the duty Family Liaison rota.
“I feel that you get as much out of this job as you put in,” she said. “I have tried to be the best I can be and to set an example of good policing to officers who are younger in service.
“Being a Family Liaison Officer can be a tough job but it’s so rewarding and such an important role.”
PC Hallworth was put forward for the Chief Constable’s annual awards by Chief Superintendent John Webster, who is Stockport’s district commander.
He reserved glowing praise for the job PC Hallworth has done and expressed his pride in her.
“Tracy is a dedicated and experienced officer who does her very best every day to support our community, celebrating over 15 years as a response officer with a work ethic and determination which is second to none.
“We have all witnessed how Tracy serves our community ethically, fairly, with huge resolve and personal resilience.
“She has always gone above and beyond in her role – an example of that is her work as a Family Liaison Officer, dealing with the relatives of individuals who have often died in tragic circumstances.
“Tracy’s performance is exceptional; her approach, her nurture and mentoring of junior officers is something to be admired.
“I am exceptionally proud of Tracy, she is a role model for many, and I know that the rest of the Stockport district will be proud too.”