Steve Hardman
Police Relationship Manager
I serve as a key liaison between police forces, partner organisations and Slater and Gordon, acting as a primary point of contact for officers and staff to build and maintain strong, effective relationships.
Get to know
In my role, I work with police forces nationally, drawing on my deep knowledge of road-safety protocols and complex collision investigation to consult on best practices, deliver public speaking engagements and create training programmes. My aim is to prepare the next generation of investigators for dealing with serious and complex road traffic collisions, while highlighting the crucial role specialist lawyers play in post-collision rehabilitation, supportive care and compensation.
I work closely with some of the firms key road safety relationships, providing support and advice to service users and their families. I previously served Lancashire Constabulary for 30 years, retiring in March 2025 as a sergeant and principal lead investigating officer for fatal and complex road-traffic collisions. In that role, I managed every inquiry from scene to courtroom, coordinated multi-agency responses and safeguarded the integrity of all forensic and legal procedures. Over the course of my career, I developed a reputation for analytical rigour and decisive leadership, mentoring junior officers in advanced investigative techniques and road-traffic legislation.
My expertise in collision investigation and critical-incident management earned formal commendations from Chief Officers, divisional commanders, partner agencies and community organisations across Lancashire. For two decades I also worked as a Family Liaison Officer, later qualifying as a Family Liaison Coordinator.
Supporting bereaved and seriously injured victims and families from initial contact through criminal and coronial processes gave me immense pride. As a coordinator, I designed deployment strategies and ensured the welfare of liaison teams during some of their most demanding assignments. I led the overhaul of the force’s welfare provisions for Family Liaison Officers, positioning Lancashire as the benchmark for supporting officers who volunteer for this demanding yet profoundly rewarding role.
Recognition
1997 – Chief Constables Commendation for Bravery, tackled a male armed with a large Machete who had just conducted an armed robbery at a nearby Pharmacy
1998 – Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Resuscitation Award – Successfully revived a male who had attempted suicide in a remote location by using exhaust gasses from his vehicle.
2009 – Chief Officers commendation – Team award (Licensing) for significantly reducing the volume of alcohol related harm within the nighttime economy.
2010 – International Problem Orientated Policing Award (Herman Goldstein) Finalist – Fort Worth, Texas. Multi agency approach to reducing nighttime economy serious violence.
2012 – Chief Officers commendation for Leadership – For providing an improved quality of service for victims of road traffic collisions across Lancashire
2013 – Chief Officers commendation – divisional award winner for leadership. Achieving an overall reduction in Crime in the Western Division (Blackpool) Policing area of Lancashire.
2015 – Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Resuscitation Award – Successfully revived a male who had collapsed within a public house.
2023 – Chief Constables award for Team of the Year – Serious Collisions investigations Unit.
2025 – Chief Officers Special recognition award for commitment to roads policing and serious collisions investigations.