9 July
Whangarei based Probation Officer Claire Jones was today presented with the Minister’s Excellence Award, becoming only the second probation officer to ever receive the Award.
Claire was presented the Award by Minister of Corrections Hon Judith Collins, in recognition of the outstanding achievement she demonstrated during probation officer curriculum training and the high standard of her day-to-day work.
The Minister’s Excellence Award was established to recognise staff who have acted with distinction during their training. Several Excellence Awards have been presented to corrections officers who have graduated from the Department’s initial training course and the award had now been extended topProbation officers who had completed their curriculum.
General Manager Community Probation Services Katrina Casey said Claire was selected as the Northern Region winner for the Minister’s Excellence Award because she was well organised and capable of working at a very high standard. She also demonstrated personal integrity by reporting an attempt by an offender to offer her a considerable sum of money so he would avoid a breach. As a result the offender now faces court charges.
“Her actions have held the offender to account for his actions and have helped maintain the integrity and reputation of the service. This incident and the continuing high standards she has shown in both her training and her work demonstrate Claire’s professionalism and strong work ethic and she should be congratulated for her efforts.”
Ms Casey said that in addition to Claires’ capacity for learning and the strong work ethic she had displayed during training, she had also demonstrated many positive attributes in her role as a Probation Officer in the Whangarei Service centre.
Probation Officers play an important role in the Justice system through ensuring offenders comply with the requirements of their sentence and in helping offenders make the necessary changes to live offence free lives, Ms Casey said.
“The Minister’s Award is one way of recognising the important work of Probation Officers and in encouraging and recognising their professionalism and expertise.”
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