A constable who goes “above and beyond” his duties to keep people safe at football matches has been crowned Nottingham’s top police officer.
PC Simon Travell has been Nottingham Forest’s Football Officer since 2018 and travels with the team home and away to police their matches.
As a Dedicated Football Officer (DFO), Simon prepares intelligence reports, develops strategies, and produces logistical arrangements designed to minimise antisocial behaviour and criminality in and around the stadium.
He works closely with the Safety Team at Nottingham Forest, as well as numerous fan groups, in order to understand match days from a supporter’s point of view, with his X account attracting more than 10,000 followers.
Throughout the football season, he is deployed to matches to observe and oversee a raft of safety measures. His role also includes engaging with football fans at matches and advising police commanders.
Where necessary, he has also collected evidence relating to criminal actions and Football Banning Orders that prohibit offenders from attending matches.
His commitment to the role saw him crowned Officer of the Year at Nottinghamshire Police’s Force Awards ceremony, with the audience hearing that Simon’s commitment to the role was fully deserving of recognition.
Inspector Pete Shaw told the ceremony:
“Simon impressed me constantly with his level of commitment. He goes above and beyond what is expected of him, and he gets a lot of respect from Nottingham Forest and his policing colleagues for how he goes about his role.
“He’s quite a celebrity amongst supporters as a result of his social media account. He engages a lot with supporters and has become a well-known face and name.
“I know from his European travels that people seek him out as a point of contact. He’s also been to the Qatar World Cup and the 2024 European Finals in Germany. The selection process was quite arduous and rigorous, so the fact that he was chosen shows how highly regarded he is.
“He thoroughly deserves this award.”
Held at the force’s Arnold headquarters, the ceremony heard that Simon possesses vast knowledge of football policing, having been deployed as an England Operational Football Officer at the 2022 Qatar World Cup and serving as a DFO during the recent UEFA Europa League fixtures involving Nottingham Forest.
His expertise was evident during international deployments to Real Betis in Spain, Sturm Graz in Austria, and FC Utrecht in the Netherlands, where he worked alongside foreign police forces to manage large crowds, prevent disorder, and ensure the safety of thousands of travelling supporters.
These operations required cultural awareness, tactical planning, and seamless coordination with partner agencies – skills Simon demonstrated to an exceptional standard.
Beyond match-day operations, Simon has attended briefings and delivered inputs to ground safety stewards at Nottingham Forest, improving their understanding of policing priorities and enhancing match-day safety.
He has also worked closely with partnership agencies and professional footballers through initiatives such as ‘Kick It Out’, promoting equality, inclusion, and positive fan engagement.
Furthermore, Simon has built close working relationships with supporter groups, including the Nottingham Forest Disabled Supporters Association, Punjabi Forest, and Forza Garibaldi, strengthening trust and cooperation between fans and the police.
In addition, he organises Continuing Professional Development days for the force’s Operational Football Officers, ensuring they remain up to date with best practices and develop their professional skills.
Simon was nominated by his Operations Support colleague, PC Richard Mosley, who said:
“Constable Simon Travell is an outstanding officer whose professionalism, specialist knowledge, and commitment to public safety make him an exemplary candidate for Police Officer of the Year.
“His primary role as a Dedicated Football Officer within the Football Policing Unit has seen him deliver exceptional results in managing high-profile football operations, both domestically and internationally.
“Over the years, Simon has developed and maintained a close professional relationship with Nottingham Forest, ensuring the safety and security of fans, staff, and the wider community during major fixtures.
“His proactive engagement with the club and supporters demonstrates his ability to build trust and foster positive relationships, which are essential for effective policing in this challenging environment.
“His work has had a significant impact on public safety, community confidence, and the reputation of the force.”
PC Travell said he felt immensely proud to win the accolade. He said:
“I feel privileged to carry out my role as a Dedicated Football Officer, as the opportunities that I have had have been remarkable.
“Carrying out the role does require a lot of dedication beyond my normal working hours, and without the support of my family, this would be impossible. Being away from home so much requires a lot of support and understanding from them.
“I would also like to thank my colleagues, who are always so supportive.”
