Brave officers celebrated at special Plymouth awards ceremony
Police officers and staff were honoured for their outstanding public service at a special ceremony in Plymouth recently.
Awards were handed out for bravery, selflessness, good work, leadership, integrity, professionalism and teamwork.
A total of 62 nominees received awards and celebrated in the presence of their family and friends, as well as Plymouth Police Commander Matt Longman.
Chief Superintendent Matt Longman said: “Our award ceremony once again reminds us of the incredible work that takes place across Devon & Cornwall Police and equally of how amazing the public can be alongside us. We’re so proud of all those we recognised and enjoyed meeting their families and friends who have supported them.”
Nominees were praised for going above and beyond while doing their duty and serving the public. Some of the officers who received awards are mentioned below:
PC George Kinloch and PC Ben Wood saved a man’s life after returning from a diving and marine deployment. The pair were alerted by a distress call over the radio relating to a man suffering a suspected heart attack. He was on a vessel that had run aground at Mount Batten breakwater in Plymouth.
The officers promptly re-routed the police Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) to be one of the first responders on scene. PC Kinloch and PC Wood utilised their dive medic qualification and experience to help in delivering immediate first aid.
PC Kinloch was able to create an effective airway whilst continuing to monitor the man’s condition. PC Wood used the defibrillator before the man was transferred to an ambulance; he has since made a full recovery.
The officers are commended for their commitment and dedication to administering lifesaving first aid.
PC Laura Toms and PC Ben Wilson displayed exceptional bravery and selflessness after helping a man who had entered the water at Burrator Reservoir. The officers found the man waist deep in freezing water and he had been in the water for some time. They realised they needed to reach the man and managed to pull him back to safety. The officers put themselves at risk to protect and save a vulnerable member of the public.
The special ceremony earlier this month was attended by VIP guests High Sheriff of Devon Caroline Harlow and Lord Mayor of Plymouth Kathy Watkin.
Mrs Caroline Anne Harlow, High Sheriff of Devon, added: “It was a truly wonderful afternoon and to witness the courage, bravery and commitment of the public and police was heart-warming and inspiring. Each person and team I spoke to denied they had done anything extra ordinary; they all declared that what they did, is just what you do.”
Photo caption: PCs George Kinloch and Ben Wood and PCs Laura Toms and Ben Wilson with (left to right) Chief Supt Matt Longman, Plymouth Lord Mayor Cllr Kathy Watkin and High Sheriff of Devon Caroline Harlow.
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