Police officers and staff who have demonstrated exceptional determination, professionalism and integrity have been recognised by the chief constable.
At a ceremony held at the Roundthorn Hotel in Penrith, Chief Constable Rob Carden presented commendations to officers and staff in recognition of their outstanding contribution to policing the county.
Ch Cons Carden said: “I am immensely proud to be in a position to recognise the outstanding work of our officers and staff.
“Their work is varied – from detectives going above and beyond on behalf of victims to a community beat officer setting a standard for what one officer can achieve for their community – but what they all have in common is an outstanding dedication to their profession and to keeping the public safe.
“Their stories will serve as an inspiration to others as we work towards the constabulary being recognised as among the best in the country.”
Bravery awards
PC Glenn Myerscough and PC Michael Bolton rescued a vulnerable, missing woman from a lake near Askam in Furness on March 17. During a large-scale search operation, the PCs came across the women floating motionless in Black Ponds, 20ft from shore. The officers entered the water and were able to pull the unconscious woman from the water. They provided first aid until the woman was able to be transported to Furness General Hospital in Barrow where she was admitted for hypothermia.
PC Ruth Coates and PC Michael Doyle were called to a hotel in Alston where a man was causing damage and acting erratically.
The decision was taken to arrest him but he resisted and fought back against the officers in a stairwell of the hotel.
He bit PC Coates on the arm, refusing to let go for over a minute and when PC Doyle attempted to get the perpetrator off PC Coates, the man bit down on his finger, refusing to let go.
The man was tasered three times but with little effect and tried to gain control of the taser. Four members of the hotel staff intervened to help get him off the officer and helped restrain the man until further patrols arrived.
Due to the rural location, the PCs had to restrain and control the man for 21 minutes before these patrols arrived. Throughout the struggle, both officers remained composed and professional and commended the four members of public for their assistance.
Highly commended
PC Zach Hudson, PC Jack Massey and PC Lloyd Smith attended a domestic abuse incident on September 1 2022. They helped save a man from a suicide attempt and gave him CPR until an ambulance arrived.
Cracking cryptocurrency crimes
A team who worked on a complex and unique robbery investigation which resulted in significant sentences received commendations.
Operation Dogma involved the use of new and innovative approaches to investigations using overt and covert tactics in order to uncover attempts by the offenders to conceal their criminal proceeds within cryptocurrency.
Detective Inspector Matt Belshaw, Detective Constable Caroline Middleton and Detective Superintendent Jenny Beattie – who oversaw and managed the investigation – were praised for their outstanding detective work and expert control.
The officers were supported by Nikki Knott in the Criminal Justice Unit who worked relentlessly to ensure that this complex case was presented effectively and in a way that was easy to understand for a jury, which assisted greatly in securing combined sentences of over 12 years for the two offenders.
Baby injured by dad
Two police officers have been recognised for their efforts in seeking justice for an extremely vulnerable victim and showing great tenacity and diligence in pushing for the case to come to court.
Detective Inspector Matt Belshaw and Detective Constable Lisa Atkinson conducted a thorough and professional investigation into significant injuries sustained by a baby which resulted in a bleed on the brain.
The father of the child had sought to conceal the truth of his role in the child’s injuries, claiming instead that the child had stopped breathing while being fed.
However, the officers in the case were determined to get to the truth and hold the parent to account for their actions and lies, which resulted in him eventually admitting one offence of cruelty to a person under 16 years.
Anti-social behaviour
A West Cumbrian PC was commended for his outstanding police work aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour in the Maryport area.
PC Sam Steele‘s work, which saw anti-social behaviour drastically reduced in a matter of months, received national recognition in the media, resulting in praise from the Home Secretary for his efforts to help people locally.
Swift actions save woman’s life
PC Adrian Golbourn responded to concerns for the welfare of a woman in the Appleby area in June 2022.
He decided to use his police powers to gain rapid entry to the address and once inside, found a woman in the process of attempting to take her own life.
He began first aid while paramedics were on their way, providing updates via his police radio.
Judge’s commendation
A detective sergeant who investigated the rape of a young girl in Appleby, resulting in the two teenagers responsible each being sentenced to more than five years in prison, has received a commendation from the judge who presided over the case.
Two boys, aged 14 and 15 when they committed the offence prior to the start of the 2019 Appleby Horse Fair, were both jailed for five years and four months each and must sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.
The investigation was complex and lengthy and required Detective Sergeant Gilsenan to support the victim through the three years it took to secure the result at court.
In his commendation Judge Unsworth KC wrote that DS Gilsenan was being recognised for his “outstanding work as officer in the case leading the investigation”.
Officers confront dangerous armed man
Former PCs Bruce Kemp and Alan Ashburner responded after emergency services were alerted to an ongoing situation in Wigton where a man armed with two knives had stabbed three people in separate incidents in July 2019.
The officers were able to use their local knowledge of the area to pin down the location of the attacker, who was found still in possession of the knives.
Despite this, they were able to work quickly and effectively to disarm the man and successfully arrest him.
The attacker would go on to admit charges of attempted murder, wounding, grievous bodily harm and assault. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
