Police officers and staff awards were presented to Devon and Cornwall Police officers recognising their long service and good conduct, at a ceremony at the China Fleet Country Club, Saltash, on December 8.
Among those receiving awards was Detective Inspector Nicola Seager, who grew up in Bude and joined the police 20 years ago.
She started her career in uniform on July 13, 1997, on patrol in Barnstaple, before migrating South through Devon, stopping off at Exeter and Newton Abbot before ending up in her current destination, Torquay. Like her ability to meander around the geography of the force, she has moved in and out of both uniform and detective positions at all ranks.
Her citation read: “Joining on a day that some people would consider an unlucky number this did not deter Nicky as at the end of her student period, she was awarded the ‘Waddell Prize’ for student officer of the year.
“However, this number may have come back to haunt her in 2001 when she became a victim in a life threatening road traffic collision. While on duty dealing with a road traffic accident on the A30, she was hit by an out of control vehicle that catapulted her over the central reservation barrier and she was airlifted to hospital for immediate treatment.
“A comment in her annual review was that: ‘Nicky’s confidence is her strength, giving her the ability to deal with everything in her path, who does not give up where others might.’
“The recovery from the accident clearly demonstrates this strength and she returned to work after nine months of rehabilitation to a shattered ankle, so that she was able to walk unaided, something previously not thought to be a reality.
“She became a Detective in 2003 after being ‘highly recommended’. There are lots of glowing comments within Nicky’s personnel file from appraisals over the years, such as, keen, enthusiastic, adaptable, quick learner, personal and professional pride. But one comment that stands out is: ‘Takes the bull by its horns.’ Maybe this explains why she also has a large number of being assaulted on duty reports within her file too!
“In May 2008, by now a Patrol Sergeant, Nicky was the first on scene of the attempted bombing terrorist attack in Exeter City Centre. She supervised the evacuation of the city centre and cordons of the scene. Her leadership that day earnt her a commendation for her actions.
“Those highly valued aforementioned comments of Nicky’s personality and work ethic have not dwindled over the years as she is now a Detective Inspector leading the Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse Investigation Team in South Devon. Her integrity and dedication to that role is unquestionable, as she is shaping the future of the organisations approach to continuous development, welfare and public service in an area which is known to carry significant risk and demand on those that she leads.”
The awards were presented by Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer and Mr Philip Tuckett, Deputy Lieutenant for Devon. Others receiving long service and good conduct awards were: Police Constable Simon Aldred, Inspector Richard Hockin, Sergeant Susan Honywill, Executive Assistant Jackie Pockett, and Police Sergeant Tony Shayler.