The Sheriffs Award is an initiative created by the CoSP (Company of Security Professionals).
The CoSP as many of you will know started off as a Guild and as a modern version of what was known as a ‘Trade Guild’ that maintained quality-control in goods and services during the Middle Ages. These Trade and Craft Associations flourished all over Europe for many centuries, but the City of London companies (now collectively known as the ‘Livery’) are unique in their survival, number and diversity. The social and economic conditions which gave birth to the original Guilds have long since been overtaken by the development of industry and commerce, but the Livery Companies still flourish today as living institutions. Their survival has been achieved by doing what they have always done, fostering their trade in a wide context, serving the community, and embracing modern skills and professions. Today there are 107 livery companies in the City of London; soon to be 108!
The CoSP is striving towards full livery status and has worked exceptionally hard to establish itself within the City of London. Members of the Company are aware of the importance of appreciating the ancient traditions whilst embracing new ideas and concepts. It was with this modern appreciation of times gone by that the Company of Security professionals created and launched the first-ever "Sheriffs’ Award" for outstanding bravery in 2006. The City of London Sheriffs’ Award is the first one of its kind for 1,000 years; and a historical footprint in the annals of the CoSP’s own history.
The award is open to anyone who wants to nominate who so ever they think should be the recipient of this prestigious accolade…nominations are invited from the general public, businesses, the emergency services and the Armed Forces. The winner is honoured at the CoSP Annual Dinner and is presented with a £2,000 prize and their name listed in the Old Bailey Book of Honour. The award is named after the country’s ancient law-enforcers, the City of London Sheriffs who still help look after the UK’s Central Criminal Court and who reside at the Old Bailey, in recognition of their 1,000-year-old role in supervising law and order. The office of Sheriff is of greater antiquity than any other in the City of London. Until the institution of the Mayoralty in 1189, Sheriffs or ‘Shire Reeves’ governed the City as the King’s representatives, collected royal revenues and enforced royal justice.
Today two Sheriffs are elected on Midsummer’s Day every year in Guildhall by the City livery companies. Since 1385 when the Court of Common Council stipulated that every future Lord Mayor should "have previously been Sheriff so that he may be tried as to his governance and bounty before he attains to the Estate of Mayor", the shrieval year of an Aldermanic Sheriff is a sort of testing-ground for a person who aspires one day to be elected Lord Mayor of London. Usually, there are two Sheriffs, one Aldermanic Sheriff together with the non-Aldermanic Sheriff.
It is the role of the Aldermanic Sheriff to attend and support the Lord Mayor in carrying out his/her official duties; this includes City functions and national and international visits undertaken by the Lord Mayor on behalf of the Corporation and the Business City. To officiate (together with the non-Aldermanic Sheriff) at the Central Criminal Court; in particular, entertaining Her Majesty’s Judges and guests at lunch each day; this involves undertaking an important ambassadorial role on behalf of the Corporation and acting together with the non-Aldermanic Sheriff as part of a fully committed and supportive team. However, this year not only is the CoSP contributing to ‘City’ history, so are the present Sheriffs; Ian Luder and Michael Bear. A double Aldermanic Shrievalty has only happened four times in the past 25 years – the last time was 11 years ago. This means that both Ian Luder and Michael Bear will both serve one year as Sheriff, after which time it is expected that both will serve as Lord Mayor at some point in the next few years.
Another interesting fact is that this is the first time since 1934 that there will have been two Jewish Sheriffs, and the first time in history that there will be two Jewish Aldermen as Sheriff in the same year. It was Aldermanic Sheriff, Ian Luder, who presented Susan Porter with the 2007 Sheriff’s Award for outstanding bravery at Guildhall in October 2007. Sheriff Luder said. "This outstanding bravery award is a reminder to us all, of the extraordinary courage and bravery displayed by Susan Porter while protecting fellow citizens. Unquestionably her heroic efforts helped to prevent a tragedy that would have claimed lives."
Sheriff Luder went on to say: "Susan Porter’s name will be listed in the Old Bailey Book of Honour". Master of the Company of Security Professionals, Peter French said: "Selflessness and community service are vital qualities in a successful Security Professional, the people who make the Square Mile such a great place to live, work and study. We designed the award to honour individuals or organisations that have shown unusual courage or initiative in protecting people, property or liberty." Last year Muhammad Khalil, from Bracknell, was the first person to receive the Sheriff’s Award which was presented at the Mansion House.
Muhammad received the award as a result of the 7-7 bombings; he raced to the scene of the Kings Cross attack and in the chaos of people trying to escape from the blast, he scrambled to enter the tunnel and without concern for his own safety, assisted passengers to escape and tended to the injured and dying. This year Susan Porter, from County Down, a Federal Services security officer at Stormont parliamentary complex, Northern Ireland, became only the second person to receive an award in the Sheriff’s name for 1,000 years.
Susan was on duty on Friday November 24, 2006 when Michael Stone, six times convicted murderer, attempted to bomb the building. With Stone shouting ‘I have a bomb’ and pointing a gun at security guards, she acted instantly and struggled with Stone to disarm him. With a fellow officer she managed to tackle him to the ground. Suffering a broken wrist in the process, she looked for a way to immobilise the assailant and thinking quickly she tied his shoelaces together. Working with her colleagues Susan helped to drag Stone out of the building where they removed knives and his gun. Police officers were soon on the scene to arrest Stone. It was only later that bomb disposal officers confirmed that Stone was carrying a bomb. I asked Susan how she felt when she was wrestling Michael Stone to the ground. She simply smiled and said: "I was only doing my job." While Susan is an inspiration to other officers facing danger in the course of their duty it is a fact that all communities are under threat in one way or another these days. I contacted Rabbi Dr Tony Bayfield who will act as Chaplain to Aldermanic Sheriff, Ian Luder both during his time as Sheriff and should he become Lord Mayor of London. I asked Rabbi Bayfield what his experience of security was within his community. "These are terrible and unprecedented times never were security professionals more needed. Never was it more necessary for all sections of the community to work together to protect lives and shared values. Never was there a time when it was more important than now to praise those who risk their own safety for others in danger from attack."
The rabbi is right, now is the time for all people to work together so at this special time of the year and season of goodwill to all men I decided to catch up with an expert in that department; Rev Dr Martin Dudley, Rector of St Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield, and chaplain to a number of livery companies and a court member of the Guild of Public Relations Practitioners and a member of the Court of Common Council of the Corporation of London.
I asked the Reverend if he would like to share a message to inspire each and everyone one of us. Rev Dr Martin Dudley went on to say: "Christmas is a festival for everyone. All people of goodwill, whether they share the Christian faith or not, can understand it as a celebration of love and peace focussed on the Child Jesus. For Christians, of course, it is something more — a time when God undoubtedly wills to be found by the many and not only by the few. He would have us go, in our hearts and imaginations, to the little town of Bethlehem, to that inner place where God comes to dwell. He would have us go in wonder and delight, as those who have seen angels. And he wants us again to enter into the scene we know so well, with stable, manager, ox and ass, and shepherds at the door, that in such simplicity we might understand afresh the meaning of love and the power of God." This is an example of the spirit of Christmas that as a member or guest of the CoSP we have been able to enjoy for many years. This year as usual (since the inception of the CoSP in 1999) we shall celebrate with our Christmas Carol Service at St Bartholomew the Great.
May I also take the opportunity to extend my personal seasons greetings and a happy, prosperous and peaceful New Year, to you all.
