Senior Constable Dickinson, or 'Dicko' as he's affectionately known, has worked at Keilor Downs police station for 11 years, helping many youths steer clear of drugs, alcohol and crime.

His efforts were recognised last week when he was named Brimbank's citizen of the year at the city's 2012 awards ceremony.

The event took place at the Victoria University Convention Centre in Sunshine and awards were presented in six categories.

For the past three years Senior Constable Dickinson has worked as a municipal youth resource officer, mentoring young offenders through proactive programs which he helped set up.

Initiatives he has been involved in include the Preventing Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth (PARTY) program, which is run in conjunction with The Alfred hospital as a pre-sentencing condition.

The Sunshine resident regularly gives talks at local schools and helps run a Blue Light disco at Keilor Downs Secondary College each school term.

He volunteers as a coach for the Sunshine Kangaroos Football Club and is a member of the Sunshine Community Theatre Group.

He says he's passionate about guiding young people in the right direction.

"I'm really proud of the work I've done with young people and programs like PARTY have so far been really successful in preventing youths from engaging in further offending."

Keilor Downs's Senior Sergeant Trevor O'Shanassy, who nominated Senior Constable Dickinson for the award, said he was a "true community man".

"Everyone knows Dicko as a terrific bloke. He's really thorough in his work and nothing is ever too much trouble for him," he said.

Other winners included young citizen of the year, Taylors Lakes's Sharlene Prasad, and the Sunshine and District Historical Society, which won a cultural achievement award.

Winners will take on a formal role at Brimbank's Australia Day citizenship ceremony at Kevin Wheelahan Gardens on Thursday from 10am-midday.

The ceremony will be followed by a community celebration from 2-5pm.