A CUMBRIAN traffic cop has been rewarded for nearly three decades of service.

PC Andy Ivison was given the 2012 ACPO – the Police Federation Award for Outstanding Contribution to Roads Policing after being nominated by colleagues in Cumbria Police's Roads Policing Unit.

The 47-year-old, who lives near Penrith, has worked for the constabulary for 27 years.

PC Ivison was announced the winner of the award at the Police Federation ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) National Roads Policing Conference and Exhibition in Leicestershire last week. 

The award was presented by Suzette Davenport, Deputy Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police and the ACPO lead for roads policing.

PC Ivison’s lead role in complicated inquiries into the haulage industry was particularly recognised by the award.

He worked alongside colleagues from VOSA (Vehicle and Operator and Services Agency) on Operation Cadillac, which focussed on a company based in Northern Ireland which made regular runs through Cumbria.

As a result, two of the directors of the firm received significant custodial sentences and 15 drivers received suspended terms of imprisonment after a long investigation.

A Cumbria Police spokesman said: "This joined up approach has been adopted in subsequent investigations that PC Ivison has worked on, and has undoubtedly led to safer operating practices in the haulage industry both locally and much further afield."

PC Ivison was also recognised for playing an exceptional role in national campaigns and operations which were aimed at both disrupting crime and terrorism and contributing to increasing road safety.

He also has several years’ worth of experience of being deployed to serious collisions and road closures in treacherous conditions.

Last winter he spent a freezing ten-hour shift keeping stranded motorists safe and helping colleagues from the Highway Agency ensure access for the emergency services.

When not out on duty, PC Ivison uses his experience to develop the skills and knowledge of student police officers and newly-appointed specialist roads policing officers, something Cumbria Police made him 'an excellent and well respected role model'.

PC Ivison joined Cumbria Police in 1986, initially based in Barrow, before starting work with the traffic department in 1990 at Penrith.

He is a Class 1 Police Advanced Driver and police motorcycle rider.

In his current role in the Roads Policing Unit, based at Cumbria Police HQ at Penrith, PC Ivison has specialised in drivers’ hours enforcement and motorcycle escort duties and recently organised aspects of the motorcycle escort for the Olympic Torch relay.

PC Ivison said: “I was so shocked to hear that I had won the award. It was a privilege just to be invited to the awards dinner – I had no idea I’d won!

“It is great that awards like this acknowledge the work that goes on behind the scenes to keep road users safe. Roads policing is often a forgotten area of policing but it is vitally important.

“Since winning the award, ACPO have asked me to travel to France and Belgium to meet up with roads policing colleagues across European police forces on an exchange, to share best practice, knowledge and bring back some of their experiences to make Cumbria’s roads even safer.

“These trips will be funded by Tispol – a European organisation of police forces that works to reduce criminality and casualties on our roads across Europe.”

Cumbria Police temporary chief constable Bernard Lawson said: “I am very proud of Andy for winning this award.

“He and his colleagues in the Roads Policing Unit do a fantastic job day in day out to ensure that our roads are safe.

“The fact that Andy has been recognised for his efforts over and above hard working colleagues from around the country just shows the calibre of officers we have in Cumbria.

“I’m delighted for him.”