[T]he bravery and professionalism of police officers, police staff and members of the public were celebrated at the Chief Constable’s Awards ceremony held this evening (May 11, 2017) in Penrith.
As well as awards for long-service, there were a number of commendations received by officers who went beyond the call of duty and members of the public who displayed incredible bravery and courage.
Those commended included:
- Imogen Greenoff and Amy Bonner – teenagers who fought off and helped convict a man who attacked them with a knife.
- Special Constable Neal Collins and Police Constable Joseph Rossiter – police officers who wrestled a lighter from a suicidal man who had doused himself in petrol.
- Police Constable John Spriggs – a police officer who waded into a river to rescue an elderly woman whose life was in danger.
- Retired Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Hill, Crime Investigator Don McCutcheon and Detective Constable Andrew Hedley – officers and staff commended for their work in convicting 35 offenders running a “cash for crash” scam in Cumbria.
- Detective Constable Paul Scougal – officer whose professionalism and diligence secured the conviction of a serial arsonist who was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
- Detective Sergeant Paddy McDonnell and Detective Constable Jay Ritson – officers who investigated large-scale cannabis production and jailed seven defendants for a total of 48 years.
- Finance Team – shortlisted for the Finance Team of the Year award at the Public Finance Innovation Awards 2017.
Cumbria Constabulary’s Chief Constable Jerry Graham said: “I think the public will agree with me when I say that hearing the stories behind these commendations is a humbling experience.
“We have officers putting their own lives at risk to save vulnerable people in desperate need of help. We have detectives showing remarkable diligence and professionalism to secure convictions which make our county safer for us all. And, of course, we have the teenage girls who showed a level of courage which is hard to comprehend as they battled to save each other from an armed attacker.
“I would like to extend my gratitude, once again, to each and every one of them.”
Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “I have huge admiration for the bravery and dedication shown by these people who have not only gone above and beyond the call of duty to help those in desperate circumstances, but have also put their own lives at risk.
“I am so proud to know that we have such inspirational people working for us, it is absolutely right that, on behalf of the public of Cumbria, I would like to say a sincere ‘thank you’ to each winner tonight and so many more, they are rightly recognised as heroes.”
