MERKINCH Community Policeman Norman MacLeod has become the first bobby to be awarded a prestigious new title. He was presented with the Ewan MacRae memorial trophy for being Community Police Officer of the Year.

Head of Northern Constabulary, Chief Constable, Bill Robertson, paid tribute to Norman’s off and on duty work with young people from the area. The trophy, a silver quaich, was presented to the force by the mother of policeman Ewan MacRae who died trying to rescue his brother in an accident. They both drowned. The quaich bears the inscription, ‘He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother’. "Norman was nominated by Chief Superintendent Ramsaay McGhee and Sergeant Barry Stone. Sergeant Stone said: "Everywhere Norman goes there’s a line of children following him. The elderly like Norman to drop in for a chat. When people come to Area Command they ask for Norman by name. Norman gives every incident 100%."

Norman said: "It means a tremendous amount to me because I like working among the people down here." Norman also knew the policeman who died. He said: "I’m deeply honoured because I knew him and he was a very good and well respected person."