Several police officers have been awarded for their bravery in the line of duty.
Chief Constable Michelle Skeer held ceremonies this week to recognise officers and staff who have gone above and beyond in service to their community.
PC helped save man’s life
A PC who worked to help save a man’s life was recognised for her efforts by the chief constable.
Laura Smyth – now an acting sergeant – and a colleague responded to an emergency call in April 2020.
Entering an address in Carlisle, they came across two injured men, one of whom had suffered a significant stab wound and would die as a result of his injuries.
The officers, entering a potentially extremely dangerous situation, were able to quickly assess the scene and carried out immediate first aid until paramedics arrived.
Their efforts contributed significantly in saving one of the injured men’s lives.
Detective Superintendent Jenny Beattie said: “Both officers not only displayed great professionalism but remarkable composure in what was a potentially dangerous environment to step into.
“As well as prioritising those injured, they were able to ensure key evidence was preserved and the scene protected.
“The actions of both officers were exemplary – so much so that their conduct that day is now used by the constabulary to train response officers and detectives.”
Team investigated modern day slavery at Carlisle car wash
A team who worked on a complex investigation to secure the first convictions of its kind in the country, have been commended by the Chief Constable.
Detective Chief Inspector James Yallop, Detective Inspector Simon Gray, Detective Sergeant David Hetherington, Detective Sergeant Deborah Story, Disclosure Officer Don McCutcheon and intelligence analyst Claire McKenn investigated allegations of modern day slavery and human trafficking offending, carried out by an organised crime group.
The investigation centred on the exploitation of vulnerable victims brought to the UK and forced through compulsory labour to work at a car wash in Carlisle.
They worked with agencies across the UK and abroad and the investigation secured the first conviction of its kind in the country and resulted in the two defendants receiving a total of seven years in prison.
Officers protected child while being attacked
Two police constables who showed great courage in facing down an aggressive man while protecting a five-year-old child have been commended by the Chief Constable.
On July 13 last year, PCs Kier Irving and Emily Tyson attended a domestic incident in Whitehaven when a man arrived at the address, acting aggressively.
The two officers attempted to calm then man, who then assaulted PC Irving.
Both officers then worked to restrain the man, suffering injuries in doing so, but knowing their priority was in keeping the young child at the address safe.
The officers were eventually able to gain the upper hand and arrest the man.
Chief Inspector Lee Skelton said: “The officers showed great perseverance and bravery as both continued to place themselves in harm’s way, despite having suffered injuries themselves – injuries which were serious enough to impair their ability to defend themselves.
“The actions of the two officers kept a young child safe from harm and resulted in a violent man being removed from the scene and appearing before the courts.”
Detectives brought 1990s rapist to justice
Two detectives were recognised with Chief Constable’s Commendations for their tenacious and compassionate investigation of serious sexual offences which resulted in a man being jailed for 20 years for rapes committed in the 1990s.
Detective Sergeant Matthew Belshaw and Detective Constable Kerry Gibson began their investigation in 2019 and, while safeguarding and supporting the victim, they pursued evidence and uncovered details of offending which spanned the length of the country.
The details evidence they secured and the complex investigation they carried out resulted in the offender being jailed in January 2021 for 20 years.
The detectives were put forward for the commendation by Detective Inspector Simon Gray.
Det Insp Gray said: “Non-recent sexual offence investigations can be extremely complex and challenging to prove.
“However, Detective Sergeant Belshaw and Detective Constable Gibson both worked tirelessly on behalf of the victim to secure a significant prison sentence for a dangerous offender.
“The court result sent out a resounding message to the public that those who commit such terrible offences – however long ago – can still face justice, even decades down the line.”
Police officer pushed down stairs
Two police constables were commended for their bravery and professionalism in safely arresting a violent man who attacked them at an address in Carlisle.
On May 6 2021, Cumbria police received a call from a man threatening violence, who said he wanted to assault or kill someone.
Constables Joe Tidmarsh and Jamie Long attended the man’s home address and were immediately subjected to an unprovoked attack.
PC Long was punched in the face while PC Tidmarsh was pushed backwards with such force that both he and the offender fell down a flight of stairs.
Despite their injuries, both officers continued their efforts to detain the man and protect the public.
They were able to successfully subdue and arrest the man, who was charged with criminal damage and two counts of assault on an emergency worker. He admitted the offences at court.
The PCs were nominated for their commendations by Chief Superintendent Matt Kennerley.
He said: “Their courage under extreme stress is highly commendable and resulted in a volatile situation, which began with an unprovoked attack, being resolved without either officer suffering serious injury.”
10 years of negotiation
A detective sergeant received a commendation from the Chief Constable in recognition of his work as a negotiator, spanning the final 10 years of his service.
Peter Goulston retired last year, having qualified as a hostage and crisis negotiator in 2011 – a voluntary role he undertook alongside his day job.
Negotiators can be called out any time of the day or night and are instantly involved in a high-pressure and rapidly evolving situation where, often, a person’s life is at risk.
Peter was often called to help people who were in a mental health crisis and threatening to take their own life, as well as scenarios such as kidnappings and extortion cases.
In the last 10 years, Peter had been deployed as a negotiator more than 300 times and also used his experience to select, assess and coach Cumbria police negotiators selected to attend national courses.
Peter was nominated by Inspector Graham Hawley. He said: “The constabulary was very fortunate to have Peter. It is no exaggeration to state that his interventions resulted in countless lives being saved and people who were at their lowest ebb getting the help and support they needed.
“The negotiator role is a demanding one which undoubtedly takes a toll. However, Peter’s integrity and professionalism has never faltered.
“His commitment and level of service both in his role as a negotiator and beyond it, is something all officers should aspire to.”
Detective’s tireless work over 18 months
Detective Constable Matthew McFall of South Cumbria CAST was recognised for his prolific record of bringing sex offenders before the courts and securing convictions.
These included a guilty verdict following a six-day trial for a man convicted of seven child sex assault offences. The offender was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
He also secured a sentence of seven-and-a-half years for a man who kidnapped and raped a woman, as well as more than two years in prison for a man who committed a sexual assault.
The convictions were all secured while DC McFall continued to investigate a high volume of other serious offences while mentoring and tutoring a trainee DC.
Detective Chief Inspector John Graham-Cumming said: “Detective Constable McFall worked doggedly and with great effectiveness during a difficult period to secure numerous convictions which took serious offenders off the streets.”
‘Nobody should go to work with fear of being assaulted’
Mrs Skeer said: “I’m immensely proud of the work of our officers and staff and the courage, professionalism and integrity they display when working to keep the people of Cumbria safe.
“It is important we highlight that this week we recognised a number of officers for the courageous work they undertook whilst under physical attack and, as courageous and worthy of praise as they officers are, nobody should have to go to work under the threat of being assaulted.
“I was also privileged to recognise once again the sterling work of our detectives and their colleagues who work so tirelessly to bring serious offenders including sex offenders and those involved in serious organised crime, to justice.
“I’m extremely proud of all of these officers and staff for stepping forward and helping to keep Cumbria such a safe place to live, work and visit.”
Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner Peter McCall added: “Our officers and staff go above and beyond to keep the public safe every day of the week and these awards are a snapshot which really highlight their selfless dedication to keeping the public safe.
“Policing can be a really rewarding job, but it is also an extremely difficult job as officers do face the worst of society and circumstances throughout their career, often facing personal danger in the course of a shift.
“It is important that we acknowledge and celebrate the exemplary work that the police do, every day to keep the public safe.
“I would add my personal congratulations and sincere thanks to all the winners and nominees – these awards are genuinely deserved, and they should all be proud of their achievements.”
