A VOLUNTEER police officer whose pioneering work in a North-East town is to be replicated by forces across the country has been named the country’s top special constable.

Special Constable Daniel Kempf, who volunteers with Darlington police two days a week, was awarded the Ferrers Trophy - at the annual Ferrers Awards at the House of Commons on Monday.

It honours the work of special constables and police volunteers across the country.

He said: “It is a great achievement; you never expect things like that. When I started I never thought I would be winning awards.

“You don’t really think about winning awards, as I am just doing the job that I love.”

Since becoming a special constable three years ago, SC Kempf has become an integral part of the North Road beat police team, based in Gladstone Street, Darlington, helping officers engage with the Polish community in the area.

The 32-year-old from Gdansk, in Poland, set up and hosts regular Pact (Police and Communities Together) meetings specifically for the Polish community as well as running a website for residents to discuss crime and other problems in their area.

His work is now being used as an example of good practice, and his team are now collaborating with forces across the country to expand and develop it.

His sergeant, Daryl Edmunds, said: “I am very proud of him. To think we have 20,000 special constables across the country and he won the top award, he has done extremely well.

“He goes the extra mile, and his enthusiasm limitless.”

SC Kempf, who also works as a taxi driver in Darlington, was named County Durham’s special constable of the year in both 2011 and 2012.