Annual recognition awards for Customs Officers have been reinstated, but with a pleasant twist as it is no longer a top-to-down evaluation. Now, staff members are recognised in six categories by their peers, who nominate them for being the most worthy among them.

The first awards in six categories in 2013 have gone to:

Officer of the Year: Senior Customs Officer (Sea Freight), Mr. Glarman “Bobo” Grant;

Administrative Support Officer of the Year (Admin/Accounts/Cashier/Tally/IT): Accounts Officer Michael Bartlett;

Customs (Junior) Officer of the Year: Customs Officer (Narcotics Enforcement), Ms Tina Campbell;

Senior Customs Officer of the Year: Senior Customs Officer (Freight Security Initiative), Mr. Philip West;

Assistant Collector of the Year: Assistant Collector (Airport), Ms Gidget Powell; and

Porter/Warehouse Officer of the Year: Porter, Mr. Robert Scott.

The chosen officers received awards and certificates of appreciation.

Lauding the winners for 2013, Collector of Customs Ms Samantha Bennett noted that recognition by peers could be one of the greatest motivators for staff members and promised this would be an annual feature.

“Mr. Grant, for instance, was nominated by a number of his peers in recognition of his leadership, his supervisory skills and especially the quality of his service to our customers,” she elaborated. “It was inspiring to see other staff members nominate their colleagues and recognise them for their efforts and diligence at work.”

Criteria included attitude and professionalism towards both colleagues and the general public to mark qualities including communication skills, sociable personality, positive approach, courteous behaviour, ability to carry out work requirements and willingness to accept constructive criticism.

The winners were selected by a senior management committee from a total of 25 nominations, Collector Bennett said.

Photo captions Photos by Bina Mani

Group 1: Seated l-r: Deputy Collector Ms Emelie Wilks; Collector of Customs Ms Samantha Bennett and Deputy Collector Mr. Collie Powery; standing l-r: Senior Customs Officer of the Year, Mr. Philip West; Administrative Support Officer of the Year, Mr. Michael Bartlett; Customs (Junior) Officer of the Year, Ms Tina Campbell; Porter/Warehouse Officer of the Year, Mr. Robert Scott; Assistant Collector of the Year, Ms Gidget Powell and Officer of the Year, Mr. Glarman “Bobo” Grant.

Collector Officer of Year: Senior Customs Officer (Sea Freight), Mr. Glarman Grant, receives the first peer-nominated Officer of the Year award for 2013 from Collector of Customs, Ms Samantha Bennett.