The Security team on the University of Sussex campus received this certificate from their professional body in recognition of their service over the last year.

Darryn Burton and his colleagues were nominated for Security Team of the Year.

Security officers working on the University of Sussex campus have received certificates from their professional body in recognition of their service over the last year.

Richard Walker from Sussex Estates and Facilities (SEF) was nominated as Security Officer of the Year (Excellence and Courage) in the annual awards of the Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO).

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the campus security teams have been severely stretched at certain points. Richard has not missed a day of work and is always one of the first to volunteer when additional help is needed.

Darryn Burton, Security Operations Manager for SEF, says: “We nominated Richard for this award in recognition of his diligence as well as his quick reactions: just recently I received an email from a student grateful for Richard’s response to a potentially life-threatening first-aid incident. Richard is a hardworking member of the team, a real credit to the security department.”

Richard and the rest of his colleagues were also nominated for Security Team of the Year. “The whole team have all delivered an exceptional service over the past 12 months,” says Darryn.

Vice-Chancellor Adam Tickell says: “The last year has been a difficult one for everybody, but students and young people have been among the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, in all sorts of ways.

“I am pleased that our SEF security staff have been recognised for the ways in which they – both individually and collectively – have focused their energies to give our students on campus the best possible support.

“Our security patrols have continued to carry out their day-to-day duties while taking on the increased workload that Covid-19 and the national restrictions have brought. Engaging with campus users about government Covid-19 regulations and University guidelines has become an important part of their role.

“I know that they have received excellent feedback from across the University, including thanks from colleagues and student residents who are grateful for their support.”

The Association of University Chief Security Officers said: “All the nominees have displayed excellent service, courage and initiative in carrying out their campus security duties, often going beyond the expectation of roles and responsibilities to save lives and ensure our students, staff and the public are kept safe and secure. They certainly deserve special recognition this year whilst working with the difficulties of the Covid environment.”

The Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) is a professional body for security staff working in universities and colleges in the UK, Europe and across the globe.