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- Feb 21, 2009
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From the Sussex Police Website:
Sussex Police's football intelligence and liaison officer PC Darren Balkham has had his work recognised with the presentation of a High Sheriff's award.
He was handed a framed certificate bearing a citation for his achievements by the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Patrick Burgess, at a ceremony in Brighton, also attended by Sussex Police's Deputy Chief Constable, Giles York.
Darren, 41, is originally from Manchester and is a big fan of Manchester United. But since starting his current role in 2000 he has also become something of a Seagulls' supporter, thanks to his work with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Darren, who joined Sussex Police in 1995, said: " "My work is based on the model of neighbourhood policing and I consider myself very lucky to have this job. I live, eat and breath football. There are only seven clubs I've not visited, and a recent pre-season friendly with Norwich was my 600th game accompanying the Albion.
"We basically try to encourage self-policing by the fans, building trust and confidence so that they effectively take responsibility for their own behaviour. We also aim to be consistent in the way we police Seagull's matches. There are always officers present, but we don't 'front load' things for big games. That just doesn't work."
Inspector Tony Lumb, said: "Darren's ethos is to treat everyone involved in football as a unique community, engaging with them on a personal basis and then address their problems in conjunction with our partner agencies. It epitomises neighbourhood policing."
Such has been the success of Darren's approach that even while holidaying in Florida recently he was spotted by an Albion fan who came over to greet him. A spokesman for the Seagulls' Supporters Club said: "We can travel anywhere in the country in the happy knowledge that Darren has sorted things out prior to our arrival."
Darren also works closely with the UK Football Policing Unit and the Football Association, and Insp Lumb said he had "deftly managed some highly sensitive investigations and incidents involving players and staff, maintaining a professional and confidential approach throughout.
"Rarely has one officer had such a positive impact on a section of the community over a sustained period of time as Darren has had with Brighton & Hove Albion and their associated partners and organisations over the past 13 years."
After receiving his award, Darren said: "I had no idea that this was going to happen and I was genuinely thrilled and humbled by the whole thing."
Sussex Police's football intelligence and liaison officer PC Darren Balkham has had his work recognised with the presentation of a High Sheriff's award.
He was handed a framed certificate bearing a citation for his achievements by the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Patrick Burgess, at a ceremony in Brighton, also attended by Sussex Police's Deputy Chief Constable, Giles York.
Darren, 41, is originally from Manchester and is a big fan of Manchester United. But since starting his current role in 2000 he has also become something of a Seagulls' supporter, thanks to his work with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Darren, who joined Sussex Police in 1995, said: " "My work is based on the model of neighbourhood policing and I consider myself very lucky to have this job. I live, eat and breath football. There are only seven clubs I've not visited, and a recent pre-season friendly with Norwich was my 600th game accompanying the Albion.
"We basically try to encourage self-policing by the fans, building trust and confidence so that they effectively take responsibility for their own behaviour. We also aim to be consistent in the way we police Seagull's matches. There are always officers present, but we don't 'front load' things for big games. That just doesn't work."
Inspector Tony Lumb, said: "Darren's ethos is to treat everyone involved in football as a unique community, engaging with them on a personal basis and then address their problems in conjunction with our partner agencies. It epitomises neighbourhood policing."
Such has been the success of Darren's approach that even while holidaying in Florida recently he was spotted by an Albion fan who came over to greet him. A spokesman for the Seagulls' Supporters Club said: "We can travel anywhere in the country in the happy knowledge that Darren has sorted things out prior to our arrival."
Darren also works closely with the UK Football Policing Unit and the Football Association, and Insp Lumb said he had "deftly managed some highly sensitive investigations and incidents involving players and staff, maintaining a professional and confidential approach throughout.
"Rarely has one officer had such a positive impact on a section of the community over a sustained period of time as Darren has had with Brighton & Hove Albion and their associated partners and organisations over the past 13 years."
After receiving his award, Darren said: "I had no idea that this was going to happen and I was genuinely thrilled and humbled by the whole thing."
