A police officer from Cumbria has been recognized for her outstanding work in tackling wildlife crime. On Tuesday, June 24th, Wildlife Coordinator Sam O’Key received a prestigious Challenge Coin from animal welfare charity Naturewatch Foundation.
The surprise event was attended by Sarah Carr, CEO of Naturewatch Foundation, and Amanda Mckirdy, Rural Crime Team Supervisor, who presented the award to Sam. She was chosen for the award by Jim Clark, who leads the charity’s wildlife crime work, for her exceptional investigative skills and unwavering commitment to protecting animals.
In her role as Wildlife Coordinator for Cumbria Police, Sam has worked closely with Naturewatch Foundation since 2018 to bring perpetrators of wildlife crime to justice. Her meticulous work has played a crucial role in exposing criminal networks and setting a high standard for her peers across the country. Sam also sits on the national Badger Persecution Priority Delivery Group, which aims to protect this vulnerable species in England and Wales.
Upon receiving the award, Sam expressed her gratitude, saying, “Without the support of Naturewatch Foundation and other partner agencies who work tirelessly to identify these individuals, we would not be able to disrupt their illegal activities in the way that we do. Receiving this challenge coin as recognition of the work I have been doing was not only unexpected but quite overwhelming. Thank you to the Naturewatch Foundation team for your support and this recognition.”
CEO Sarah Carr also praised Sam’s dedication and hard work, stating, “Naturewatch Foundation launched the Challenge Coin to celebrate the remarkable work of individuals who are determined to improve animal welfare and tackle cruelty. A Challenge Coin is a treasured, sought-after award. My heartfelt thanks to Sam for her amazing work tackling rural and wildlife crime and my congratulations for being the first recipient of one of our Challenge Coins!”
Chief Constable Darren Martland of Cumbria Constabulary also congratulated Sam, saying, “This award is a testament to her hard work and determination to tackle wildlife crime, bringing offenders to justice and supporting our partner agencies to protect our wildlife.”
The Naturewatch Foundation Challenge Coins are presented to individuals whose work goes above and beyond to support and promote the charity’s mission and values. Only four awards are given each year, and Sam is the first recipient of this prestigious coin.
Wildlife crime continues to be a prevalent issue in the UK, with many wild animals being protected by law. Despite this, crimes such as badger baiting, hare coursing, and illegal trading of animals continue to occur. Naturewatch Foundation is currently campaigning for wildlife crime to be made a ‘notifiable’ offence to raise awareness and encourage law enforcement to take action.
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