A POLICE officer from Minehead has won an award at the highly reputable Outstanding Policing Awards 2025 hosted by ITV presenter, Alex Lovell.
The 2025 Outstanding Policing Awards took place earlier this week (Tuesday 11 March), celebrating the dedication and exceptional contributions of Avon and Somerset's police officers, staff, special constables, and volunteers.
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From developing training and providing specialist guidance to improve victim support and investigative quality, to fostering cross-cultural connections in our communities through forward-thinking initiatives, the awards highlighted the breadth of talent, innovation, and commitment within Avon and Somerset Police.
One of the picks of the 10 award winners was Shane Eckley, who won the Police Staff Member of the Year: Handyperson award.
A spokesperson from the Avon and Somerset Police said: "Shane is a vital member of the estates and facilities team, going above and beyond to ensure police stations run smoothly.
"His work maintaining buildings and vehicles allows officers and staff to focus on their roles without disruption. Recently, he played a key role in the transition to the new Minehead police station. Always willing to help, Shane’s dedication, hard work, and kindness have made a lasting impact on his colleagues."
Several of Mr Eckley's colleagues have praised him for taking home the award this month in a video posted via social media.
Chief Constable, Sarah Crew said: “The OPAs are a brilliant opportunity every year to celebrate outstanding, extraordinary police work.
“It made me feel inspired, humbled, hugely proud, really privileged to be Chief Constable and serve alongside such people who do such extraordinary things. Stories of courage, and bravery, but also kindness and compassion, inclusivity, community engagement, and innovation. It was all there, and it was really, really inspiring.”
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