Police constable Louise Kennaugh has won the Isle of Man Newspapers’ Community Police Officer of the Year award.

She was presented with her trophy at the chief constable’s annual award ceremony, hosted by the Isle of Man Constabulary on Monday.

PC Kennaugh said after her win: ’It’s brilliant. Today is always a special day made better by having friends and family here.

’The best part of my job is that the boss is letting me do it, I literally do what I want, as long as it does something positive.

’I feel honoured that I get paid and also allowed to do what I do, I just find what the community needs and get involved. It’s a pleasure.’

The community officer explained why she valued the award.

She said: ’I think this one’s really important because you’re nominated by the public so police officers don’t like being given thanks and praise, it’s in our nature to do our job but this was someone who actually saw what I did and that makes it feel even better because maybe I’m doing something right, so it’s worthwhile.

’I think even if people just recognise your face or remember your name or something then it’s that person they can go to and if I can’t help them, I know someone else that can.

’It’s not about being a police officer, it’s about being a person and sharing that. That’s how I was raised with my parents and hopefully I can influence others to do the same.’

PC Kennaugh, who has been an officer for 23 years, dedicated the award to her community team in Willaston.

She added: ’There’s a group of five of us in the community team and we work for each other and with each other so it’s a bit for all of us, we help each other out.’

Nominated by Shannon Murray from Willaston, PC Kennaugh was described as always bringing ’smiles and laughter to all the kids’.

She wrote to Isle of Man Newspapers the day after the bomb hoax at Willaston School, which took place on September 28.

Mrs Murray said: ’I think this has come at the right time, as yesterday my daughter’s school was evacuated due to the bomb hoax. PC Lou handled the situation amazingly.

’She stayed calm, and she told [the kids] how amazing they all acted.

’Honestly, the kids were quite vulnerable and scared [the following] morning when going into school, [but] she was so reassuring, caring and affectionate towards the pupils.

’It’s lovely that the kids feel safe around her.

’I don’t know anyone who deserves the award more then her, not just for this police award, but for being a genuine human being and putting others, and especially the children in the community before her.’

Speaking about the bomb hoax at the school, she said: ’Myself and my colleague were first there, and do you know what - the kids were just fantastic.

’[Willaston] is a good old fashioned community and they seem to want to work with me, which is brilliant and I try my hardest.’

l More from the constabulary awards in Tuesday’s Examiner.