THE bravery and dedication of six police officers was recognised last week, at Hertfordshire Constabulary's Watford and Three Rivers Staff Awards.

The officers who received awards included PC Tony Knibb, from the Western Area Road Policing Unit, who is based at the North Watford police station.

PC Knibb was given the Area Commanders' Commendation for his work following a two-vehicle road traffic collision in Ley Hill Road, near Bovingdon, in July 2004. The driver of a Ford Escort lost control of his car killing his two rear seat passengers aged just 16 and 18.

PC Knibb was the first officer on the scene of the collision and later provided support the families throughout the investigation, while meticulously exploring lines of enquiry to establish the exact circumstances of the crash.

Another winner was Special Constable PC Andy Kowalski, who received the Special Constabulary Award for "excelling" over the year.

PC Andy Kowalsk has performed a range of community duties over the past 12 months in Rickmansworth.

Other awards were given to PC Alistair Wood from the Community Safety Unit and Andrew Thinksaker from the Criminal Justice Unit, who both received the Annual Award for Excellence in Partnership Working.

PC Ryan Hemmings from the Oxhey Community Team, who is studying to become a Sergeant, received the Chris Taylor Award for Excellence in Policing. The award was named after the previous Western Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Chris Taylor who retired in 2005.

Performance Improvement Manager, Detective Inspector Shirley Sargent, who works in the Western Area Crime Unit based in Hemel Hempstead, has been named as the recipient of the Annual Staff Award.

DI Sargent was unable to receive her award last Monday, but will be presented with it at a later date.