A DISTINGUISHED retired police officer with more than 30 years of public service has been awarded at a York ceremony for using his skills to help others.

Paul Cording took the award in the category of Public Sector Hero at the annual York Community Pride Awards.

Paul was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2023, for services to policing and charity.

Prior to his career in North Yorkshire Police, he’d spent 12 years serving in the RAF.

Sgt Cording served with North Yorkshire Police for more than 20 yearsSgt Cording served with North Yorkshire Police for more than 20 years (Image: Supplied)

His supporters cited his work with road safety charities like Road Safety Talks in supporting the work they do, as well as raising funds in physical challenges for national and local good causes.

Paul has taken his fundraising total into the tens of thousands of pounds and said at the award ceremony there have been so many personal memories from them.

Asked to name his most moving, he said: “Following a fatal collision on the A64, where sadly three members of the same family were killed, the father and one of the sons survived.

“The young lad was in hospital for a number of weeks, and when they finally were discharged they found that their house had been burgled.

“That hit me a lot – sometimes you can’t sit back and do nothing.

“Having spoken to my team, I needed to do something, we needed to do something.

“Within two weeks, over £21,000 had been raised - it just showed how empathetic the public are."

Hanging up the keys to his traffic car for the final time in June, there was still time for Paul to undertake a challenge with a personal twist.

Posting on his X-account, he shared news of a donation of over £7,500 following a 24-hour-period running or walking a total of 126.8 kilometres, to match the collar number of 1268 he wore.

 

The funds were delivered to The Police Treatment Centre, a charity where members of the Police Family can receive treatment following an illness or injury.

After receiving the award, Paul Cording said: “The Police Family, the 999 family – I’m still in awe of the professionalism of everybody.

“They’re incredible individuals who just wear a uniform, and at the end of the day, they just go home to their families.

“We are human beings, we have our own families, with our ups and downs, our good days and bad.

“But it’s always been important for me that you look after each other because the most precious thing in any organisation is your workforce.”