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News and events: WWF Wildlife Law Enforcer of the Year
2008
Andy Small (Kent Police)
The 2008 award was presented to Andrew Small by Michael Russell (MSP, Minister for Environment) at this year’s Police and Customs Wildlife Enforcement Conference held at the Scottish Police College over the weekend of 28-30 November. Andy is Rural and Environmental Crime Coordinator for Kent. Since being appointed in 2005, his criminal investigations and staff training have helped to raise awareness within the force of the importance of tackling wildlife crime.
Andy played a prominent role in the case of ‘Dave the dolphin’, a solitary dolphin that appeared on the south Kent coast. Concerns for the animal grew as people and boats started getting too close. Two men were eventually convicted under the Wildlife and Countryside Act this was the first time the Wildlife and Countryside Act had been tested in the English legal system in this kind of case and Andrew's hard work, including gathering evidence from a number of experts, was a major factor in the positive result in court.
The judging panel was impressed with Constable Small’s contributions on top of his work on criminal investigations. He has conducted wildlife training for supervisors in Kent Police’s Force Control Room Centre so that call handlers are able to correctly record potential wildlife crime incidents.
He said: 'I was delighted to receive the award – it’s a great honour and recognition of the work the force is doing to tackle the issues of wildlife crime. Kent police have been really supportive of my role and since we have been dealing with it the team has expanded and we are actively involved in tackling this element of criminality.'
A runners-up award was presented to Robert Taylor, Wildlife Officer for North Wales Police. Since being appointed at the end of 2007, he has already received 237 reports of offences and has set up a course to assist volunteers throughout the force with wildlife investigations.
2007
Nigel Lound (Lincolnshire Constabulary)
Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom (North Wales Police) presented this year’s WWF Wildlife Law Enforcer of the Year to Nigel (Nige) Lound at this year’s Police and Customs Wildlife Enforcement Conference on the Isle of Man in October 2007 (photograph courtesy of the RSPB).
The award was in recognition of his work to combat wildlife crime. In one of his most recent successes he carried out an investigation into the sale of tigers' heads, elephant tusks and peregrine falcon specimens on eBay. The investigation led to the seizure of a number of illegal wildlife trade goods and the suspect being charged and found guilty.
Heather Sohl, Wildlife Trade Officer at WWF, who sponsor the award, said: "Nigel has shown a real commitment to tackling wildlife crime. We need more officers like him across the country to not only bring the criminals to justice once crimes have been committed, but to help raise awareness and educate the public to reduce wildlife crimes in the first place. His outstanding efforts help local wildlife, but also benefit the conservation of endangered species at a global level."
Nigel makes it a priority to increase awareness of wildlife crime, its enforcement and prevention. He regularly gives presentations to local schools, community groups and businesses as well as providing training and support to his fellow officers. He is currently filming a documentary titled 'Wildlife 24/7' which addresses the issues of endangered wildlife and rare plants.
Andrew Steel (HM Revenue and Customs)
A runners up award was also presented by Richard Brunstrom to Andrew Steel, a HM Revenue & Customs Investigation officer, based in London. Andrew has been actively involved in investigating a number of wildlife trade offences for the past seven years.
Joan Ruddock, Defra’s Minister for Minister for Climate Change, Biodiversity and Waste gave the following statement "I'd like to thank all the police and Customs officers who enforce wildlife law throughout the UK. Many of them carry out their wildlife law enforcement responsibilities in their own time and in addition to their other day to day responsibilities, which makes their achievements even more remarkable."
2006
Alan Stewart (Tayside Police)
In 2006, PAW gave a special lifetime achievement award to Alan Stewart, Tayside Police’s Wildlife and Environment Officer. Alan has spent many years tackling wildlife crime in Scotland.
Paul Henery (Northumbria Police)
David Cowdrey (Director of WWF Wildlife Trade Campaign) and Richard Brunstrom (Chief Constable, North Wales Police) presented this year’s award to Paul Henery of Northumbria Police at the Police and Customs Wildlife Enforcement Conference in September 2006. In the last 12 months Paul has undertaken a large number of diverse investigations in his role as a full-time wildlife crime officer including a case where freshwater pearl mussels were alleged to be damaged/disturbed.
Paul has continued in his role as Co-ordinator for Operation Artemis. He has also been instrumental in designing and implementing species protection programmes including one to protect Avocets which produced the first record of successful breeding pair for Northumberland.
In addition to his investigative role, Paul has made an outstanding contribution to training colleagues in all aspects of wildlife law enforcement and provides ongoing training for officers where needed. He has given talks to a number of different organisations such as local Wildlife Trusts. Paul works effectively with a number of external organisations and agencies in the course of his work and makes very good use of the media to highlight wildlife enforcement issues. Paul has been involved in a number of community based projects including the Longhorsley Common Restoration project where as part of the project he secured funding to bring rescued Dartmoor ponies to the common as part of the habitat management.
On commending Paul, his nominating officer said that “PC Henery is an extremely dedicated, committed and professional WCO who has gained experience in dealing with wildlife crime over a number of years. He is supportive of partner agencies and police colleagues in carrying out his duties and has done much to raise awareness of wildlife crime locally and nationally”.
2005
Louise Hubble (Hampshire Constabulary)
Louise is a full time Patrol Sergeant and part time WCO for Hampshire Constabulary. Additionally she also acts as deputy force full-time WCO and Force Wildlife Crime Supervisor overseeing the work of 29 WCOs. Louise makes herself available 24 hours a day to respond to wildlife incidents. She undertakes much of this work in her own time and on rest days.
Over the last 12 months Louise has been involved with a number of cases-including the high profile New Forest Owl Sanctuary case which led to the successful prosecution of Bruce Berry for 5 offences under COTES and the Theft Act 1968. Louise has provided training for non WCOs and provides advice through out the force on wildlife issues, she has produced simple legislation guides and is currently developing a training course for officers.
Louise has worked extremely hard within her own force to raise the profile of wildlife crime and has initiated a number of meetings with senior officers. It is testament to her hard work that she received a Chief Constables Congratulations for 'the outstanding contribution made towards raising the profile of Wildlife Crime in Hampshire, and for the tenacity and dedication shown in the role of WCO'.
In the last 12 months Louise has also worked closely with a number of external organisations including setting up a force policy implementing a call out system for Deer Dispatch following road traffic collisions. Louise also sits as joint chair for the national PAW Police and Customs working group.
Previous winners
2004
Phil Briggs (Strathclyde Police)
2003
Barry Kaufman-Wright (Essex Police)
2002
Andy McWilliam (Merseyside Police)
2001
Nevin Hunter (Devon and Cornwall Constabulary)
2000
Sarah Wallder (HMC&E)
1999
Alan Stewart (Tayside Police)
1998
Steve Downing (West Yorkshire Police)
1997
Charles Mackay (HMC&E) Ian Guildford (South Wales Police)
Page last modified 18 November, 2009