“In August 2014 an 18 year old male was murdered in Preston, Lancashire by members of two separate drugs gangs. The investigation, Operation SEBRING, resulted in 11 people standing trial in February 2015 - total custodial sentences reached 180 years. Soon after the trial ended my Line Manager, Elaine Brunskill, submitted extracts of my work to the ACIA 2015 Awards Committee for consideration.

Like all other Analysts I have always worked in the background happy with an occasional “Well Done” from the SIO. I was therefore amazed to learn that I had won the 2015 ACIA Award and that I was invited to present my work at the Manchester International Crime and Intelligence Analysis Conference in February 2016.

Presenting to my peers from around the country and overseas, and to academics involved in the study and advancement of my chosen field, was quite a daunting experience but I was determined to give it my best shot in the hope that my work might be helpful to other Analysts who found themselves with a similarly demanding case in the future.

At the Awards Ceremony itself I received a beautiful trophy and £1000 in Apple Vouchers and I have to say I was very proud of myself and for Lancashire Constabulary to receive such recognition. It was a great feeling. I was then invited to present my work in Copenhagen in October at the European Crime Analysis Conference 2016, hosted by the Danish National Police. If I had been amazed before I was completely astonished now. It was a tremendous honour and I felt very fortunate indeed as I accepted the invitation.

Keith Jackson, the ACIA President, then told me that my work had also won the Individual Award for Excellence from the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts (IALEIA) and that I was invited to receive that Award in April in New Orleans. I was beyond astonished by this point and life had tipped over into the surreal and I found it difficult to think or breathe. What a trip that was. There were over 800 Analysts from 18 countries. There was a range of presentations on a wide variety of subjects by some extremely talented Analysts from around the world. Who better to talk about Kidnap Strategies than the man leading the fight against the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. There were also trade stands from all of the companies that you normally only see in the movies but most of all there were fantastic people there, all Analysts, who were all dedicated to the work that we do and it was inspiring to be a part of such a community if only for a short time.

Leaving Manchester Airport in -2 degrees cold and arriving in New Orleans to 79 degree heat was yet another surreal experience.

All of this originated with the ACIA and I would encourage all Analysts, whatever their area of work, to submit their products for consideration for an Award. There is no knowing where it might lead: in my case it was to Bourbon Street and a jazz cruise on the Mississippi, to unparalleled networking opportunities, to new experiences and new friends and a renewed pride in the skill, commitment and innovation shown by all members of the professional Analytical community.”