Nottingham police officer calls love of hometown his and his colleagues’ motivation for work after receiving an ‘unsung hero’ award by Nottinghamshire Police.
PC Kev Marshall has policed Mansfield for most of his 21-year policing career and is part of a team who patrol the town centre every day of the year.
Known for his familiar cry of “get out of my town”, the award was given to him as part of national neighbourhood policing week.
PC Marshall said: “A lot of people who join the police make a conscious decision not to work in the area they live in, but for me my focus has always been on making my hometown a better place to live and work.
“I was born here. It is where I was brought up and where I want to stay. I really care about the town and all the people who live and work here.
“I know Mansfield people and I think I know how to talk to them and understand them.
“They really are a fantastic bunch of people on the whole and I think that deep down we all want the same thing – to make the town as prosperous and safe as it can be.”
PC Marshall and his colleagues spend their time patrolling Mansfield talking and listening to local residents, shop staff and business owners.
Over the last year he has strengthened relationships with key local partners and devised a series of action days to bring a united response to town issues.
PC Marshall added: “The three biggest challenges we face in the town centre are drug use, antisocial behaviour and shop theft.
“As I often say to people, ‘if you want to spend a pound then come on down, but if you want to take a pound, or cause trouble, or upset other people then you can get out of my town.’
“And it’s really this more personal side to the job that I really enjoy – the chance to get to know people, to understand their problems and work out how to solve them.
“I was thrilled to learn of this award, but ultimately it’s the result of a real team effort including my colleague PC Lou Marshall, and PCSOs Vicky Swann, Rachel Harvey, Tom Ford, Nick Wells and Steve Ratcliffe.”
During the week of action Nottinghamshire Police has been drawing attention to the work of its officers in the communities they serve.
Superintendent Kevin Broadhead said: “PC Marshall is a really great advert for neighbourhood policing and is well known for the passion he feels for Mansfield, its people and its history.
“He spends every moment he can in the town centre – even on his days off – and really is a great ambassador for the town and for Nottinghamshire Police.
“He and his colleagues are doing a terrific job and I have been delighted to present this award.”
Led by the National Police Chief’s Council, Nottinghamshire Police is also continuing to encourage local residents to sign up to Nottinghamshire Alert to engage with the force and its partners directly around issues that matter to them.
To sign up to Nottinghamshire Alert visit: http://https://www.nottinghamshirealert.co.uk/
Locals can visit their neighbourhood police team pages on the force’s website for the latest news, social media posts, monthly blogs and contact details.
Nottinghamshire Police continues to encourage local communities to take part in its neighbourhood policing priority survey to help shape policing in the area.
To have your say please visit: http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/neighbourhoods/what-matters
