Two years after he was revealed as the police officer who wrote stiff letters to Wisbech councillors for a breach of Covid rules, PC Justin Bielawski has picked up two major internal Cambridgeshire Police awards. He won the Unsung Hero award and the Chief Constable’s Grand Prix Employee of the Year Award at an event at Burgess Hall in St Ives.
Chief Constable Nick Dean presented awards in 14 categories and paid tribute to those helping to keep Cambridgeshire a safer place to live, work and visit.
PC Justin’s citation described him as being “instrumental in the success of the Wisbech Neighbourhood Policing Team. His professionalism, diligence and can-do approach to problem solving really sets him apart from others.
“Justin leads by example, setting the benchmark for the team to follow and has the highest outcomes in terms of engagement and targeted activity.
“His ability to develop and maintain key relationships in the community has contributed significantly to making Wisbech a safer place to live, work and visit”.
PC Bielawski is a familiar and popular figure in Wisbech, but it was the letter to three Wisbech councillors about their attendance at the Angel public house, Wisbech, on Christmas Eve 2020, that drew him to the public’s attention.
His letter – disclosed through a Freedom of Information request – revealed that police had acted upon a “third party complaint” that the Conservative councillors had breached Covid regulations by not being part of a household or permitted bubble whilst at the pub and at a time when Wisbech was subject to government Tier 2 restrictions.
PC Bielawski wrote that he had “reviewed CCTV footage from the public house and this appears to support the allegation.
“Police on this occasion will not be taking any formal action against you for this breach, but I would like to take this opportunity to remind you to keep up to date with current government regulation and guidance”.
Policing Fenland, on their Facebook page, paid tribute to PC Bielawski for picking up two trophies at the Cambridgeshire awards.
“A finalist for police officer of the year last year, Justin was named unsung hero this year for his pivotal role in working with partners to find solutions to local problems and having an outstanding ability to develop and maintain key relationships in the community,” his colleagues posted.
“Not only taking a leading role on Operation Luscombe in the town centre, but he has also been instrumental to all success in the Wisbech neighbourhood team – his Fenland team feel lucky to have him.
Often receiving high praise from colleagues outside of our organisation, Justin just brushes it off as ‘his job’, but we see the passion and dedication he has, which goes above and beyond.
PC Justin Bielawski paid his respects and gave thanks at the Remembrance Day ceremony at the war memorial, Wisbech, on Sunday.
“His nominations showed what an exceptional officer Justin is, how highly regarded he is by his colleagues and the community he serves, and absolutely deserves recognition of the highest order for the outstanding police officer he is.
“We’re so proud to have you has part of our team here in Fenland, congratulations Justin!”
Chief Constable Nick Dean said: “There is no greater honour for me as Chief Constable than to celebrate the incredible work our officers, staff and volunteers do every day. I am delighted to recognise each and every one of them for how they have taken on challenging, and often thankless, task of keeping the people of Cambridgeshire safe.
“This ceremony highlights the teamwork, hard work and professionalism which is vital to our success as a force.”
