NORTH Yorkshire Police are calling on the public to nominate members of the policing family who have made a difference within their local community.

For the first time, the public will be able to nominate an individual who has gone above and beyond their day to day duties and have demonstrated one of three core behaviours - courage, compassion or inspiration - while keeping their local community safe.

The three behaviours, which are central to North Yorkshire Police's code of ethics, are courage, compassion and inspiration.

Members of the public can nominate police officers, office of police and crime commissioner staff, police staff, community support officers, volunteers and special constables.

Nominations can be made via the North Yorkshire Police website northyorkshire.police.uk/awards

Nominations can be made online or if preferred, printed and posted to Public Choice Award, Staff Office, North Yorkshire Police, Newby Wiske, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7 9HA.

The closing date for nominations is August 15.

Once all the nominations have been received, North Yorkshire Police Honours Committee will assess all the nominations and then shortlist seven finalists.

They will then invite the public to have the final say and vote for the overall winner. The winner will be announced at a gala dinner being held on October 23.

Assistant Chief Constable Ken McIntosh said: “This is a great opportunity for members of the public to have their say and give the recognition to those members of the Police Family who work extremely hard and go that extra mile to deliver safer communities. I’m sure that the people of North Yorkshire would agree with me that it is important that these acts and skills are properly identified and recognised.”