West Mids detectives up for national awards

19 September 2018

Two West Midlands detectives have been nominated for national awards in recognition of their outstanding work.

DC Shane Saunders, based at Birmingham Central police station, has been nominated for the Detective Recognition Award at the Police Federation’s National Detectives’ Forum Annual Awards, while DC Nicholas McCullogh, based at Birmingham South Police Station, has been put forward for the New Trainee Detective of the Year.

Shane is based on the Force Priorities Team. Federation rep DC Jon Nott, who nominated him for the award, said: “Shane is what would be called a proper old school detective.

“Throughout the whole time I have known him, I have never heard him moan or complain about any work and he attacks each investigation with determination and doggedness.

“He is constantly praised by senior officers and counsel alike for the knowledge of his cases and exceptional quality of his files.”

Shane has also helped to secure lengthy prison sentences for numerous criminals - the most recent of these being Operation Glimmer, an investigation into an urban street gang in Birmingham.

Offences in this investigation included attempted murder, firearms conversion, and firearm discharge and at trial the six defendants were sentenced to a total of 41 years in prison.

DC McCullogh has been nominated by his supervisor, Detective Sergeant Dave Bebb.
His nomination states that he has ‘excelled’ while being the OIC for two major investigations while still a trainee investigator.

One of these was a modern-day slavery case where a Romanian victim came to police and said he had been brought in to the country by another man with the promise of work.

The victim told how they were housed in squalid conditions and worked through an agency in a pork scratchings factory for less than £2 an hour. Nick co-ordinated an approach with the National Crime Agency, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and the Department of Work and Pensions.

Following an arrest and charge, he had to work closely with the Salvation Army, Romanian Embassy, Romanian Police, other forces, the GLAA, and National Crime Agency.

As a direct result of his efforts, Mihai Varga changed his plea to guilty during trial and was sentenced to five years imprisonment.

Nick also led an investigation into a gunpoint abduction in Winson Green, Birmingham.

DS Bebb said: “Nick has demonstrated the skills and determination of an exceptional detective in running these jobs to two fantastic conclusions. His work has been highly praised by the CPS and counsels. He has coped with an immense workload and some unbelievably stressful moments during this period. I would ask that this superb work is recognised.”

The winners will be announced at this year’s National Detectives’ Forum seminar and awards, which take place on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 October at the Renaissance Manchester Hotel, Manchester.