A “highly regarded and insightful” sergeant has scooped the Police Officer of the Year Award. Owen Dillon, based at Brecon, picked up the accolade at Thursday evening’s Dyfed-Powys Police force awards ceremony.
Owen has a 21-year history with the force, having joined in 2006 following a distinguished career with the Royal Marines. He has worked as a rural surveillance officer, as a roads policing sergeant and is a trained public order tactical adviser.
In 2011, Owen, along with other officers, was injured during an incident in Hay on Wye and received a Chief Constable’s certificate in appreciation of his bravery, and in 2015 he received a High Sheriff’s award for his work in Brecon – particularly with the Nepalese community and special constables.
He was nominated by Inspector Mike Melly, who said: “Owen is a leader – his motivation to staff is contagious. Officers in Brecon come to Owen for advice and help on personal and professional matters. He is an integral part of the Powys community and all large-scale events in Powys.
“His skills as a public order tactical adviser are used by Powys command team for planning preparation and execution of every event including Brecon Jazz Festival, the Royal Welsh show, and Green Man festival to name a few. Commanders have relied on Owen’s insightful leadership on many occasions, often dealing with multiple large scale problems, but always keeping a clear head, much to the reassurance of the commanders and the community alike.
“As well as his standing in the local community and with his colleagues, the work he does with the Nepalese community in Brecon, engaging with them and having their respect is something that he has developed over time. I was present at a talk Owen did for the Nepalese community, which was informative, respectful and positively promoted Dyfed-Powys Police in this hard to reach group.”
A member of the Nepalese community added: “Over the last few years, Sergeant Dillon has been serving the local Nepalese with a great respect and dignity. His ability to deal with complex issues and events with the Nepalese is a real reflection of his calibre. He is an honest, trustworthy and hardworking police officer. His ability to deal with complex issues and events within the Nepalese community is a real reflection of his calibre. He is a highly respected police officer and his contribution has been a huge support to keep the Nepalese society safe and sound.”
Thanking Owen for his work with organisers of the Green Man music festival, managing director Fiona Stewart backed the nomination by saying: “The level of intelligent and insightful management of Police Sergeant Owen Dillon’s role at Green Man festival and those associated with him has been brilliant.
“The respect I have in his decision-making has created a very trusting relationship, a level of which I have never experienced before. He really understands events and the kind of event Green Man is about.”
On winning the award, Owen said: “I am very humbled to have won, it is an honour. It is an honour to do what I do, and to still be doing it after 20 years is amazing.
“It is really nice for our families to be able to come this evening and to see this side of things. My wife is incredibly supportive, and I know that there are many other wives and partners like her throughout the force.”
Dyfed Powys Police
