They put themselves on the line each and every day to keep us safe and now we are urging you to recognise the great work that our police officers and staff do as part of the force 'Oscars' - the Norfolk Safer Community Awards (NOSCAS).

Click here to download and print out the voting slipNow entering their seventh year, the Norfolk Safer Community Awards offer people the opportunity to support the continuing efforts of the community and the constabulary in helping to keep Norfolk a safe county to live, work and visit.

The awards combine internal recognition with local communities voting for officers who they feel deserve an award for their contributions to their local community.

Additionally, if people know of an exceptional individual or group who need to be thanked they are encouraged to nominate them for an award.

Chief Constable Simon Bailey believes the Norfolk Safer Community Awards help recognise excellence from police officers and members of the community.

He said: 'In these times of financial challenge where we are having to deliver a high level of service with less funding it is pleasing to see so many people going above and beyond what is expected of them.

'I would urge you all to nominate and vote for those people from local communities through to police officers and police staff, who with their actions and words have made a difference to the area, we all live and work in.'

As before, readers of the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News can choose their Community Officer of the Year, in police officer, police community support officer and special constable categories.

The three other categories that members of the public can nominate someone for are; The John (Cecil) Mason Volunteer of the Year, Young Citizen(s) of the Year and Community Citizen(s) of the Year.

Two new categories have been added in 2014. The recipient of the Bravery Award will be chosen by the Chief Constable to recognise outstanding bravery in any walk of life.

Members of the public will also be able to vote for the Norfolk 'Police Dog of the Year' category.

Nominations can be received until August 15. The winners and runners-up will be invited to a special awards evening taking place at Holiday Inn, Cromer Road, Norwich on Thursday, October 23.

Nominated in this year's police officer of the year award category are:

• PC Andy Menarry, Thetford Safer Neighbourhood Team (Breckland District)

PC Menarry has spent his career in Thetford where he consistently delivers to a high standard. He is well known as a proactive hard working officer.

In August 2013 PC Menarry, who also pairs with many student officers to help them develop their skills, volunteered to work as a beat manager in Thetford liaising closely with the community and dealing with local priorities.

• PC Steven Coe, Taverham and Drayton Safer Neighbourhood Team (Broadland District)

PC Steven Coe is the Beat Manager for Taverham and Drayton Safer Neighbourhood Team and displays the highest dedication and loyalty toward his community, always doing his best to meet their concerns.

He uses his superb knowledge and experience to great effect, putting the community first and finding time to speak with local people to address their individual concerns, regardless of who they are or how busy he is.

• PC Katie Swann, South Yarmouth Safer Neighbourhood Team (Great Yarmouth District)

PC Katie Swann is the beat manager for the Great Yarmouth seafront area, managing a consistently high workload balancing community engagement and complex investigations. This was demonstrated admirably when she used a range of investigative tools to deal with a burglary series and a fraud investigation. Since becoming a beat manager Katie has demonstrated good leadership of PCSO colleagues and is always willing to assist the development of others, for example facilitating a visit by Lithuanian student police officers.

• PC Dan Edwards, Gaywood, Fairstead and Reffley Safer Neighbourhood Team (King's Lynn and West Norfolk District)

PC Dan Edwards has been nominated due to his absolute commitment, hard work and dedication to the Constabulary.

PC Edwards has spent his career to date at King's Lynn working as a SNT Patrol Constable, recently moving to become an SNT beat manager in which time he has become respected as a tutor constable but also known for his ability to police well.

• PC Barrie Cresswell, Cromer Safer Neighbourhood Team (North Norfolk District)

PC Barrie Cresswell is the beat manager for Cromer and is a familiar sight on his pushbike in and around Cromer town. Barrie is an unusual mix of traditional and proactive policing. He has executed many search warrants in Cromer, resulting in arrests and prosecutions, and understands the importance of listening to the needs of the community. He regularly attends town council meetings and hosts the Safer Neighbourhood Panels.

• PC Matt Wakefield, Norwich East Safer Neighbourhood Team (Norwich District)

PC Matt Wakefield is a beat manager for Norwich East where he has been instrumental in tackling the problem of on street sex workers. In addition to pursuing offenders soliciting for prostitution he also ensures sex workers are referred to support agencies and works with members of the Special Constabulary, PCSOs and patrol officers to train them to gather evidence for successful prosecutions.

• PC Susan Matthews, Diss Safer Neighbourhood Team (South Norfolk District)

PC Sue Matthews has worked tirelessly over the past 12 months to develop and run a number of horse welfare events, aimed at educating irresponsible owners. Horses straying on to busy roads are an important issue, and with support from the RSPCA and Redwings, PC Matthews and her team offer advice and the opportunity to passport and microchip horses providing police with the essential link between horse and owner.

Full information about the awards and entry criteria is available on the new NOSCAs website along with online nomination forms for all categories www.noscas.co.uk