A Cross Hills police officer has proved he's the top cop in Craven.

PC Chris Galley, 32, has been named as the district's community police officer of the year by North Yorkshire Police Authority.

He was nominated for his work with local schools.

Chris said: "I am really pleased to get this. I have worked here for 11 years and rarely do you get thanked for anything! I am very proud."

Chris was in the military police, working in army barracks around the world, before coming to the Dales 11 years ago.

He spent three years in Skipton before moving to Cross Hills where he works as a beat officer for Bradley, Kildwick and Farnhill. But Chris doesn't regard his work as a nine-to-five job.

"Some time ago, I realised through one or two incidents we had no relationships at all with the schools, in particular South Craven School," he said.

"This was having an adverse effect on the way we worked within the community, the police were seen as people the kids didn't speak to."

Chris initiated a school roadshow programme, and later the highly successful Prison Me No Way Days.

He has also been involved with local skate park projects, including the one at Glusburn Park, and the Sutton Park Restoration project. And most of this has been done in his own time.

"Now when kids see me in the street, they wave at me!" he said.

But Craven is due to lose its top cop soon: Chris has been promoted and will become a detective constable in Harrogate.

Chris will receive his award at a presentation evening in York on Wednesday when the overall winner of the North Yorkshire title will be announced.