Devon & Cornwall Police News site

Devon & Cornwall Police officers and staff working across South Devon have been recognised for their extraordinary achievements for their roles in keeping local communities safe. 

Nearly thirty officers were honoured for their commitment and dedication to their roles, sharing stories of great bravery in handling high-risk missing person cases, performing lifesaving first aid and dealing with machete wielding perpetrators.

Chief Superintendent Roy Linden, who heads up the policing teams in South Devon, said: “It has been a privilege to celebrate and acknowledge the exceptional work of our officers in South Devon. It’s truly inspiring to hear the accounts of how officers and staff have gone over and above their roles to keep people and our neighbourhoods safe. Whether going face-to-face with danger to save lives, or going the extra mile to serve their communities, our officers and staff have acted with care, courage and dedication”.

A selection of those who received awards include:

Detective Constable Rebecca Lockley

 

In February 2023, Detective Constable Rebecca Lockley began two very high-risk undercover investigations into two registered sex offenders. The suspects had been communicating with who they thought were children, with the view to commit sexual offences against them. However, they were actually talking to undercover police officers who were logging all the messages as evidence against them.

DC Lockley worked tirelessly to get these offenders off the streets, so they would no longer pose a threat to vulnerable young people and as a result of her extensive evidence, she secured remands for both offenders, meaning they went directly to prison, rather than being released on bail until their trial started.

It was due to DC Lockley’s persistent pursuit and diligent investigation that led to the successful remand and future conviction of the suspects. Collectively, they were sentenced to over 14 years in prison. DC Lockley continues her thorough and dedicated work on cases to remove more criminals from the streets and make communities safer. She said “I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this outcome without the support of my colleagues, researchers, intel officers and the Force Support Group.

I also can’t forget the support of the specialist digital dog team who helped conduct the searches in the suspects addresses, sniffing out any hidden electronic equipment. It was definitely a team effort with each of us playing a key part in getting these convictions.”

 

PCs James Bolton, Kristian Gagg and Rob Irving

Photo: PC Kristian Gagg presented with the award

PC James Bolton, Kristian Gagg, Rob Irving and three other officers who wish to be unnamed were honoured for their involvement in a high-risk missing person search that took place in February 2023, to find a man in his 50’s who left his home in a despondent state.

PC Bolton managed the search, swiftly coordinating numerous search teams, including the National Police Air Service. He instructed the helicopter team to carry out a search from the sky of a rural wooded riverside area. Following a meticulous and systematic search, the crew were able to locate the man in an isolated area that could not be seen from the roadside. They swiftly directed teams on the ground toward the man.

PCs Kristian Gagg and Rob Irving were the first officers on the ground to reach the missing man. They found him barely breathing in an unresponsive state after he’d consumed a large amount of drugs and alcohol. The officers immediately performed lifesaving first aid and CPR while waiting for the air ambulance and paramedics to arrive on scene. 

With the efficiency of the helicopter team and the medical care provided by the officers on the ground, the man recovered.  PC Gagg said: “I was only doing what any of my colleagues would in my position. I am glad that our team was able to help play a part in saving this man’s life.”

 

PCs Hayley Cayless, Dan Jenkins, Jefferiss Mathews, George Miller, Dariusz Pogorzelec, and Sgt Mark Smith

Photos (left to right): PC Hayley Cayless, PC Dan Jenkins and Sgt Mark Smith

Seven officers received recognition for their role in saving a 25-year-old woman who was in a suicidal state in April 2023.

PCs Hayley Cayless, Dan Jenkins, Jefferiss Mathews, George Miller, Dariusz Pogorzelec, Sgt Mark Smith and another officer attended a call during the early hours of the morning where they were informed that a 25-year-old woman had entered the sea in Dawlish and was approximately fifty metres away from the shore.

The Coastguard had been called to attend, but there was an unknown arrival time. The officers knew they had to act immediately as she was in danger of going underwater or being pulled out further to sea. In an effort to reach her, they tied two 25-metre throw ropes together. With one end tied around his waist, Sgt Smith entered the water while his colleagues held the other end back at shore. It became clear the woman was further out than first thought, meaning PCs Cayless, Jenkins, and Miller also had to enter the sea with the rope to allow Sgt Smith to wade further out. Sgt Smith eventually managed to reach the woman who appeared to be struggling to keep afloat and the pair were then carefully pulled in by the team back to shore.

Following the incident, the woman received the support she needed from the police, ambulance and NHS services. Without the quick thinking, bravery and teamwork of these officers, the outcome may have been very different. PC Miller said: “Decisive leadership from PS Smith and strong teamwork and communication from officers in attendance meant we were able to prevent the incident escalating and serious harm coming to the woman. We routinely put ourselves in difficult and sometimes dangerous situations, but gladly do this in the hope that we make a difference to individuals, families and the wider communities in Devon & Cornwall.”

 

Enhanced Crisis Communicator Sarah Herbert

 

Sarah Herbert has worked for the Force for over twenty years and has spent the last four years working as a Radio Supervisor, coordinating the response to incidents and overseeing communication between the public, police and external agencies. As an Enhanced Crisis Communicator, Sarah placed a call to a woman who was in distress, wanting to end her life. She discovered the woman was on the top level of a multistorey car park, standing on the edge threatening to jump.

Sarah spent over 90-minutes speaking to the woman on the phone, eventually encouraging her to step away from the edge, ultimately saving her life. Once away from the edge, the officers deployed to the site assisted in bringing her to safety. Following the incident, the woman received the help and support she needed. It is without doubt that Sarah’s actions, strength and determination saved this vulnerable lady’s life, providing her with the hope to continue living.

Sarah Herbert said: “It is rewarding to help people who are in need of support and assist in coordinating police officers during high-risk crisis situations. I am really grateful to have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.”

 

PCSO Diana Summers

Diana Summers has worked as a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for Devon & Cornwall Police for 17 years, patrolling Ivybridge and the surrounding areas. She provides a key link between the police teams and local neighbourhoods.

In May 2023, PCSO Summers was called to support a search for a high-risk missing child, aged 12, who had left her home address hours earlier in a suicidal state. It was essential to find the missing child as quickly as possible to prevent her from coming to any harm.

Using her extensive knowledge of the local vicinity, PCSO Summers was able to identify potential areas where the child might be and successfully located her forty minutes later. She found the child sat in a dangerous position next to a fast-flowing river. To encourage her away from the side of the river, she talked with the child for over thirty minutes, eventually encouraging her to come away from the river and to safety. The young girl received the care she needed and was soon reunited with her family.

Had it not been for PCSO Summers’ local knowledge, professionalism and deep care and compassion, the child may have come to serious harm.

Detective Sergeant Katherine Joyner, Police Staff Investigator George Walker

Photo: DS Katherine Joyner and Police Staff Investigator George Walker

In 2020, Detective Sergeant (DS) Katherine Joyner, Police Staff Investigator (PSI) George Walker and a third officer who wishes to be unnamed began a police investigation following a report of rape. During the investigation, it was identified that another victim had reported a similar offence in 2017 but had not felt able to support the investigation at the time. 

Following a thorough investigation, the suspect was found guilty of four counts of rape and sentenced to fourteen years in prison, extended by an additional five years on licence. The Crown Prosecution Service commended the collaborative working between the Serious Sexual Offences Unit and themselves in building this strong case to secure the conviction.

The officers were praised for their sensitive approach, empathy and support given to the victims, enabling the victims to be heard.

 

Police Constables Rob Deveau and Maia Chammings

Photo: PC Rob Deveau and Maia Chammings

PC Rob Deveau and PC Maia Chammings were on a routine foot patrol in Paignton when they spotted a man carrying a machete and a scythe near the bus station. The pair approached the man to challenge him, but upon seeing them, he quickly ran off.

Determined to control any impending danger, the two officers gave chase and safely unarmed the man, placing him in handcuffs. He was arrested for the possession of offensive weapons and taken to custody. The man received a prison sentence. The two officers were awarded for showing great bravery.

 

 

Detective Constable Donna Tullock

Detective Constable Donna Tullock was recognised for her extremely thorough, detailed and diligent investigation into a harrowing and challenging case involving the death of a six month old baby, achieving the best possible outcome in the case.

In 2019, a six month old baby passed away when she was in the sole care of her father following a domestic incident where the father was the suspect. He took the baby and her brother away from their mother and drove off with the children in the car. He failed to stop after a road traffic collision and did not seek medical attention for the children.

Later, police and paramedics attended an address following an emergency call to the collapsed baby, where drugs paraphernalia were located. The cause of death was not able to be ascertained in relation to the baby, however toxicology showed she had cannabis and cocaine metabolites in her blood, but not enough to cause death. The father of the child was arrested for a number of offences and a detailed investigation took place which, despite the lack of conclusive cause of death, led to his conviction. The man received a twenty-four month custodial sentence for two cases of child cruelty and possession with intent to supply class B drugs, plus an eight year restraining order preventing contact with the mother of the deceased baby.

 

Detective Inspector Jo Devonshire

Within the policing environment, leaders face challenges around resourcing, demands and staff welfare. In 2023, Detective Inspector Jo Devonshire and three other Detective Inspectors supported the South Devon Management Team to manage those challenges with positivity and drive. This combined effort led to growth within the department, a reduction in staff welfare related matters, more positive demand management and significant increases in positive outcomes. Regardless of challenges, the team continue to provide sustained delivery around key areas.

Detective Constable Shannon King and Police Staff Investigator Peter Stephens

Photo: Detective Constable Shannon King and Police Staff Investigator Peter Stephens

Fifteen officers, including Detective Constable Shannon King and Police Staff Investigator Peter Stephens, from the Road Crime Unit and South Devon Proactive Policing team executed a vehicle stop check and subsequent search resulting in a seizure of Class A drugs, which totalled a street value of £200,000. Further investigation work led to an arrest of a male, who was in possession of £46,000 cash and was awaiting a delivery drugs, which were later seized. The man was sentenced to a ninety-nine-month custodial sentence. The arrests and seizures led to a conviction at court and a confiscation of £78,500 as ordered by the judge. All fifteen officers in this case displayed great dedication, teamwork, and professionalism to secure this outcome.

PC Hayley Cayless

PC Hayley Cayless was recognised for her consistent and ongoing exceptional service. PC Cayless has proved herself to be an extremely capable, dedicated and professional officer, exceeding expectations of supervisors and going ‘over and above’ for victims of crime and members of the public on a daily basis. Her ability, high standards, positivity and infectious enthusiasm make PC Cayless the cornerstone of her team, carrying them through periods of change and exceptional demand.

Chief Superintendent Roy Linden said: “I would like to thank each and every one of the officers in South Devon for their continued hard work, dedication and professionalism. I am deeply proud to work alongside such inspirational people.” 

Additional stories:

We are unable to share all the names of officers who were given an award due to the sensitivity of their roles, however, some of those accounts are below:

• An officer investigated a historic case of sexual offences that happened over 30 years ago. The officer provided commendable support to the victim throughout the four-year investigation. As a result of their diligence, care and commitment, the victim felt able to attend court. As a result of the investigation, the perpetrator received a lengthy custodial sentence.
  
  
  
• Whilst off duty, an officer witnessed a domestic incident between a man and a woman in a vehicle. As the officer went to check on the welfare of the woman, the man returned in his vehicle and drove at speed onto the pavement towards them both. The officers’ quick actions resulted in him pushing the woman out of the path of the vehicle to prevent her from coming to harm, putting himself between the woman and the car. Fortunately, the car stopped and only lightly struck the officer’s leg. The woman was unharmed, and the offender was dealt with as a high-risk domestic offender. The officer displayed selflessness by putting himself in harm’s way to protect a member of the public whilst off duty with his family, showing great decision making and leadership.

 

• A Police Constable attended a report of a suspect attacking a victim with a machete. Upon arrival, the perpetrator had left the property and was in his vehicle. The perpetrator drove at the PC, intentionally colliding and pinning him to the police car, stating he was going to kill him. The officer sustained injuries to his lower limbs but was still able to detain and handcuff the offender single-handedly while waiting for assistance. The PC was recognised for his great bravery and dedication to arrest the offender.
  
  
  
• A PC was asked to support a two-week implementation of a new force-wide computer system for crime logs. The officer spent hours self-teaching to gain an understanding of the system, so they felt able to help other officers with the programme. The officer would leave their computer on at home to assist people who needed help, even after her shift had ended, showing true selflessness. This PC was recognised for being a huge asset to her colleagues throughout the implementation of the new system, keeping people motivated, committed and working to a highly effective standard.