Northern officers commended

Eight north Warwickshire police officers are to receive awards of Commendation from the Deputy Chief Constable, Derek Cake at an Awards Ceremony to be held at Chesford Grange Hotel near Kenilworth today, Thursday 30 September 2004. Awards will also be made for Probationer of the Year, Special Constable of the Year, both from the North, and Police Dog Action of the Year.

Five further northern officers will receive Long Service and Good Conduct Medals and two northern members of the Special Constabulary will receive Long Service Medals and Service Bars.

Deputy Chief Constable Derek Cake said

"These people have all made a tremendous difference to make people safer in our community. Many, have acted selflessly, risking their own lives to save others and keep the public safe, and we will recognise their bravery.

"These Awards are made in recognition of their quick thinking, tenacity and courage. They have all achieved a level of performance and quality of service over and above the normal standards required."

The first commendation of the evening will be awarded to Acting Sergeant Colin Jones from Nuneaton for his excellent work alongside a number of officers during the Ryder Cup held at the Belfry in September 2002. Unfortunately Sergeant Jones was unable to receive his award at the ceremony last year. He will be commended for his professionalism and commitment to delivering a globally accepted successful policing operation ensuring a world-wide reputation for Warwickshire Police.

During the weekend of 27 to 29 September 2002, the 34th Ryder Cup took place at the Belfry Hotel Wishaw in North Warwickshire. A comprehensive policing operation was put into place to reflect the heightened security required for the largest sporting event ever held in Warwickshire. Several officers undertook the planning and various operational tasks needed to manage the event which involved a detailed and comprehensive traffic operation, internal policing, armed security and a thorough search operation, all designed to provide public reassurance. Over 35,000 spectators attended the event, including, ex. President George Bush and the American Ambassador. As a result of this detailed planning, Warwickshire Police was seen as a professional and effective service, receiving numerous compliments, in particular from the many American spectators who attended the event.

Commendations will be awarded to Sergeant Paul Newman, Constable John Yeomans, Constable Steven Griffiths, Constable Clair Coleman and ex Constable John Davies (who has since left the force) for their courageous actions in the best traditions of the Police Service which without doubt saved the life of a man who had attempted to commit suicide on 23 February 2003.

The incident started when the officers attended the cemetery in Trent Road, Nuneaton after receiving a report of a man having slashed his wrists. When approached, the man threatened violence and although they attempted to reassure him, he ran away. The officers eventually caught up with him and could see that he had severely slashed his wrists and was covered in blood. They genuinely believed he still had the knife but that clearly his life was in danger, and together they all attempted to restrain the man. He struggled violently and had to be restrained, finally being handcuffed and removed to Hospital under escort in an Ambulance. The hospital later confirmed that the man might have died if the officers had not intervened.

During the afternoon, the Deputy Chief Constable will also award a Commendation to Detective Constable Ian Woodward for his bravery and tenacity in detaining a violent and desperate individual at great risk to his own personal safety. Ian Woodward was part of a team of officers conducting observations on a known group of people who were committing commercial burglaries in the Atherstone Area.

He detained one of the suspects who was in the process of committing a burglary. A violent struggle ensued and the suspect managed to get into his vehicle and drive off with Ian Woodward still holding onto him. He refused to release the prisoner, continuing to struggle with him through the open driver's door as he drove along at speeds of up to 30mph. The officer eventually managed to stop the vehicle by removing the keys from the ignition. He was then assisted by other officers to detain the man.

Two officers who arrested a man who was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm will also be commended. Constable Mitchel Thurman and Constable Ian Wilkinson will be commended for the professional manner in which they dealt with this man, displaying courage and teamwork, bringing to justice an armed man who was at large with a variety of weapons.

The incident occured on Sunday, 11 May 2003 when both Officers attended an alarm at a Builders Wholesale supplier in Oaston Road, Nuneaton. They approached an open fire door and were then confronted by a man in a balaclava brandishing a hammer and crowbar. Using their skills in communication, they were able to restrain the man. They then searched him and found him to be in possession of a loaded .38 revolver and a telescopic truncheon. A search of the offender's car revealed that he had a number of imitation firearms in the boot and a .303 Bren gun.

Towards the end of the afternoon two officers will be awarded Cups for their contributions to the force. The first Cup will be awarded to Constable Mitchell Thurman from the Northern area who is our Probationer of the Year 2003. The Cup is presented annually with the winner chosen by Chief Constable John Burbeck from nominations from the whole of Warwickshire Police. John Burbeck said

"Mitchell has been described as "outstanding" and his motivation as a Police Officer second to none. He is not afraid to take the lead at incidents and his communication skills both with his colleagues and members of the public are of a high quality. He is well respected by his colleagues and is a valued member of his shift. He has already received several commendations for good police work, his most recent alongside this award. We wish Mitchell every success for the future."

Mr Keith Marchington, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Apex Resource Management will be presenting the award for Special Constable of the Year 2003. The Cup, kindly donated by Apex, will be awarded to Senior Area Officer Ian Moreton who works at Nuneaton. Ian joined the Special Constabulary in February 1984 and was promoted to his current rank of Senior Area Officer in June 2000. He is in charge of the specials in the Nuneaton and Bedworth Area. He has always been an extremely active member of the Special Constabulary, giving a considerable amount of his time to training others, in particular Skills Development for new recruits. Ian is a well respected member of the Special Constabulary and is highly regarded by both members of the Special Constabulary and Regular Officers alike. He is a more than worthy winner of the Apex Trophy.

There will also be an Award to recognise the work of one of Warwickshire’s Dog Handlers and of course his dog ‘Sam’ who will be awarded Police Dog Action of the Year 2003. This formidable pairing will be collecting their award this year as they were unable to attend the ceremony last year due to operational duties.

On the 12th February 2003 Police Constable Ian Head and Police Dog ‘Sam’ tracked from the scene of an attempted theft from a motor vehicle in Mallerin Croft, Nuneaton. A suspect was seen on a play area but when challenged he made off on foot. During the ensuing chase the offender threw a heavy ruck-sac at Sam but was subsequently arrested. It was then discovered that the man was in possession of a large quantity of recently stolen property. During interview he admitted to a further seven thefts from unattended motor vehicles that night. Constable Head and ‘Sam’ will be commended for their professionalism and determination in detaining the offender resulting in numerous other crimes being detected.