|
West
Mercia’s top police officer has praised police officers,
fellow emergency services professionals and members of the
public for their role in making Herefordshire one of the
safest places in the country to live. Speaking at the Herefordshire
Division Commendations ceremony, held last night at Hereford
Town Hall, Chief Constable Paul West recognized the contributions
of those in the local community whose actions had far exceeded
the call of duty.
Alongside
officers and police staff from across Herefordshire Division
being honoured, were personnel from the fire and ambulance
services, as well as ordinary members of the public whose
actions had proved decisive in resolving difficult circumstances.
The awards included Commendations for police officers and
staff who dealt with the extreme flooding which hit the
region in July, a ‘Good Samaritan’ who ensured their elderly
neighbour did not become the victim of a distraction burglary
and several members of the public whose quick thinking saved
lives.
Mr
West told recipients that their exceptional actions in serving
the community were uplifting and inspirational. Quality
people was one of West Mercia’s key principles, he said
and the commendation presentations provided an ideal opportunity
to recognize and reward the very best of the excellent work
carried out on a daily basis. 'It
is an opportunity to pay tribute to their professionalism,
bravery and commitment of all those involved in policing,'
said Mr West.
Herefordshire’s Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent
Mark Turner hosted the event and echoes these comments,
describing the awards as a celebration of the pride and
professionalism of the county’s police. He was pleased to
recognize the efforts of the fellow emergency service personnel
and the honoured members of the public, saying it reflected
the strong community spirit in Herefordshire. 'All of those
receiving awards have demonstrated their desire to make
a large contribution to improving the quality of life of
all people who live, work and visit the county of Herefordshire
to ensure it remains an increasingly safe place,' said Chief
Superintendent Turner. 'Without exception, all those commended
tonight are people to whom the local community can look
with pride and confidence.'
The
awards in full were:
DIVISIONAL
COMMENDATIONS:
PC
Bob Conway (Herefordshire Roads Policing Team) - for
his dedication and commitment to the investigation of a
road death incident near Ledbury in July 2006. His thorough
and professional investigation resulted in the successful
prosecution of the driver for dangerous driving, as well
as the owner of the vehicle for related motoring offences.
Divisional Commendations relating to the July 2007 flooding:
CSO
Gareth Maddox (Community Support Officer, Leominster
Town North) - for his teamwork, self-motivation and community
spirit displayed during the flooding of July 21/22. Gareth
was on a 1pm to 10pm late shift the day the flooding began
and provided immediate support and reassurance to the local
community in Leominster, including arranging the evacuation
of a school for people with learning difficulties. He then
helped staff the emergency accommodation centre until midnight,
when he was finally persuaded to take a break and to make
his way home. On trying to drive north, Gareth quickly realized
the roads were by now impassable and turned round, heading
back to Leominster Police Station to change back into his
uniform. He then resumed duties at the emergency centre,
where he remained all night assisting some 250 similarly
stranded people.
CSO
Christina Howard (Community Support Officer, Leominster
Town South) - for her teamwork, self-motivation and community
spirit displayed during the flooding of July 21/22. Christina
was on rest days when the flooding began, visiting friends
in Evesham, Worcestershire. During the course of the weekend,
it became apparent that Christina was not going to be able
to return home and was effectively stranded in Evesham.
Despite thus being forced into temporary accommodation herself,
she contacted the South Worcestershire Divisional control
room to make herself available for duty in whatever capacity
would be most useful. Christina was posted to nearby Sedgeberrow,
which had been particularly badly affected by the floodwater.
While there she performed the role of providing reassurance
to the residents left behind - and all with her usual cheerful
and helpful manner, despite the awful conditions and her
relative unfamiliarity with the area.
Special
Officer Robert Chappell and Special Constable Darren Emery
- for their excellent and professional policing work during
the flooding of July 2007. On the Friday night of the floods,
SO Chappell and SC Emery were deployed to the Marcle straight
crossroads as reports had been received of cars trapped
in floodwaters. They found two miles of standing traffic,
with several motorists trapped in very fast flowing water.
In turn, the two officers checked each vehicle in turn and
helped move the occupants to the safety of a local pub -
a total of some 35 people, including one pregnant woman
and her two-year-old child.
Following
this, Robert and Darren headed to Ledbury Rugby Club and
rescued two ambulance service staff and a motorists trapped
in water that was around 2.5 metres deep. Shortly after
this, the pair were called to Leadon Way in Ledbury, were
a car had been washed into a field. The three occupants
- two elderly - were found on the roof of the vehicle, with
only an inch of the roof above the water. The two Specials
could only get to within 20 metres as the water came up
to their chests, but remained in position keeping the motorists
calm until a rescue plan could be put into operation. It
took a combined force of five fire appliances, two fire
rescue boats and a helicopter to complete the rescue. Robert
and Darren then took the shocked, cold and wet motorists
for a check-up at Hereford County Hospital (there being
no ambulance that could reach the area) and then onwards
to their home address, before finally completing their shift
at 7am.
HIGH
SHERRIFF’S COMMENDATIONS (Presented by former High Sheriff
of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Mrs Sally Clive on
behalf of the current High Sheriff, Mr John Yorke who was
unable to attend the ceremony)
Mr
Mark Smith - for his calm and professional actions on
Wednesday, 19th September, 2007, at the Marlbrook railway
bridge near Leominster. Mark, who was on duty as a paramedic
with West Midlands Ambulance Service, was returning to Leominster
when he saw a man standing on a bridge parapet. Having first
alerted the police, Mark approached the clearly distressed
man to offer assistance, engaging him in conversation. When
police arrived the man became more agitated and all attempts
by the officers to approach seemed to worsen the situation.
Mark remained in situ, offering reassurance and at one time
climbed onto the wall to strengthen the bond with the distressed
man. These efforts bought valuable time for the police to
arrange for a trained negotiator to attend, bringing the
incident to a satisfactory conclusion. Through the period
of negotiation, Mark remained at the scene to offer assistance
and reassurance. All police personnel present were impressed
by Mark’s actions and strongly felt they should be formally
recognized.
Ms
Clare Bevan - for her alertness, quick thinking and
prompt actions in September 2007, when she reported to police
three males acting suspiciously at her 93 year old neighbour’s
address in Ross-on-Wye. Concerned by their presence, she
warned her neighbour not to open the door to them and the
men abandoned their activities and fled. Clare then saw
the men running to a nearby vehicle and shouted at them
but was rebutted and told, in no uncertain terms, not to
be ‘nosy’. Maintaining her composure, she was able to take
the vehicle details to pass to police. The registration
was traced to a vehicle used elsewhere in burglaries, including
a distraction burglary the same day in the Avon and Somerset
area. Unfortunately the plates had been ‘cloned’ from another
vehicle and the offenders were unable to be traced. However,
Clare’s swift intervention undoubtedly prevented her neighbour
falling victim.
Mr
Michael Harris - for his composure and quick thinking
action in saving the life of a motorcyclist following a
collision on the B4362 at Bircher on September 13, 2007.
Michael, an off-duty retained fire-fighter, correctly anticipated
a head-on collision between a motorcycle and car ahead of
him on a blind bend. He was able to bring his car to a halt
across the road and with hazard lights flashing to warn
other traffic, call the emergency services and then assist
the rider who was unconscious on the road. Having administered
initial first aid to the rider, he then dealt with the car
driver, who was clearly heavily in shock and had also suffered
chest injuries, before going back to the motorcyclist when
he heard him stop breathing. Summoning the help of another
motorist, Michael carefully removed the man’s helmet and
identified that his tongue was blocking his airway. He rectified
this, allowing the man to breathe and undoubtedly saving
his life. Michael then turned his attentions back to the
car driver and led him away to safety. As he did this he
saw the heavily damaged car was still running and smoking
badly, so he turned off the ignition to prevent it from
catching fire. This alone prevented further substantial
danger to those at the scene. All of these actions came
despite the shock of witnessing a horrific collision. The
motorcyclist suffered multiple severe fractures and a ruptured
artery and remained unconscious for several days. However,
he owes his live to Michael’s quick thinking.
Mr
Oliver Black - for his public spirited and quick thinking
actions, which prevented a young man from taking his own
life. Oliver and another member of the public were walking
through Ledbury in the early hours of the morning in March
2007 when they saw a man jump from a fence while hanging
from a seat belt in an attempt to take his own life. Having
called for an ambulance, Oliver was able to maintain the
man’s weight to prevent him from hanging himself and brought
him down to safety. Emergency services then arrived and
the man was taken to hospital for treatment. The other member
of the public involved was also commended but unable to
be at the ceremony and will receive his award at a later
date.
Mrs
Margaret Jones and Mrs Margaret Langridge - for their
unstinting help and support both for victims of crime and
to West Mercia officers in their roles as representatives
of Victim Support. In particular, they are commended for
their assistance with the victim of a sexual offence, referred
to them by Hereford CID. They provided continued support,
both emotional and practical, and without this assistance
it is unlikely that the victim would have felt able to see
the case through to its Crown Court conclusion.
SPECIAL
CONSTABULARY COMMENDATIONS SALLY CLIVE TROPHY
Mr
Len Dykes - for his consistent high performance during
his service with the Special Constabulary, latterly as Commandant
for Herefordshire. Len has been committed to the role of
the Special Constabulary in Herefordshire, since joining
in 1971. He was based within Herefordshire for the whole
of his career until entering semi retirement earlier this
year. During his years in the role, he has ensured the voice
of the specials is heard at both Divisional and Force level,
proving an inspiration to many along the way. Len continues
to work for West Mercia as a handyman and driver, so is
still in touch with his many former officer colleagues across
the county. Len was also presented a Certificate of Service
by Chief Constable Paul West.
PROBATIONER
OF THE YEAR
Special Constable Ben Chance - awarded in recognition
of his consistent high level of performance during 2007.
Special Constable Chance has completed more than 1,000 hours
of duty in the last 12 months, based at Ross-on-Wye and
Ledbury, assisting with a wide variety of incidents. While
on duty Ben always gives total dedication to whatever task
he is given and is a much respected colleague among the
regular officers - to the point when they always ask when
he is on duty next!
|
