Devon & Cornwall Police News site

Police Officers Commended for their Bravery and Going Above and Beyond

Dedicated police officers and staff from the Exeter, East and Mid Devon Local Policing Area received praise at a special awards event recently.

The ceremony was organised to recognise hard working people who have gone above and beyond to give a great service to the public.

Superintendent Antony Hart, local policing commander for the Exeter, East & Mid Devon area, handed out the certificates to those fantastic officers and staff who were nominated.

He said: “It is important that we recognise and mark all the hard work that goes on across Devon and Cornwall Police area and these events are a nice way to show officers and staff in my patch that we appreciate them and want to say thanks for their efforts.”

Guests were joined at the Northcott Theatre venue by the Lord Mayor of Exeter Mrs Yolanda Henson, Exmouth Mayor Steven Gazzard, along with Exmouth Town Crier Roger Bourgein and Honiton Councillor Cathy Maunder.

Some of the recipients on the night included:         

The Superintendent’s Team Certificate for Collaboration, Innovation and Ownership was awarded to Inspector Lee Groves, Sergeant Kath Larrett, Police Community Support Officer Steven Trail, PC Lindsay Aldington, Specialist Problem Solver Ruth Bailey and Youth Intervention Officers Simon Evans, Dave Walter, Hannah Lamport and Lindsay Dell.

The team has established the concept of a multi-agency youth intervention clinic as a new approach to youth offending. This innovative approach is focussed on trauma informed decision making, appropriate outcomes and ensuring intervention/education and referral opportunities are identified at the earliest opportunity. The approach means the young person is provided with support aimed at reducing reoffending. The process also provides support to victims of crime. The team have worked extremely hard to engage with both partner agencies and other police teams to ensure that new working practices have been embedded.

A Superintendent’s Certificate for Duties and Responsibilities, recognising life was at risk and decisive action was given to PC Abi Copley for helping to save a life. While off duty she spotted two women on a railway overbridge and established one was a member of the public trying to assist the other, a vulnerable, deeply distressed and suicidal female. Abi called 999 and continued to assist the member of the public in talking with the woman, even after the duty officers arrived. The vulnerable woman was ultimately taken to safety and a life was saved.

A Superintendent’s Certificate for Selflessness, Duties and Responsibilities was given to PC Katrina Catton who investigated and secured charges against the primary subject of an Organised Crime Group who had been stalking a man. Katrina interviewed the suspect and liaised with the Crown Prosecution Service during a very long shift. Her hard work led to a conviction against the offender and protected the victim and his family. Katrina acted without fear and displayed determination and professionalism throughout. 

A Superintendent’s Certificate for Honesty, Integrity and Accountability was given to Detective Constable Rachel Hallam 

Rachel is a member of the prison crime investigation team based at Exeter. She has worked on two series of investigations concerning violent Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) level three offenders who are considered the most dangerous members of society. Rachel's hard work and professionalism has resulted in significant additional custodial sentences for both offenders keeping wider society safe from harm. One of the offenders was sentenced to five years in prison following assaults within the prison. Rachel consistently performs to a very high standard and has secured plenty of convictions for our partner agency at Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).

A Superintendent’s Certificate for Standards of Professional Behaviour, Duties and Responsibilities went to Intelligence Analyst David Welsh 

A man was arrested in possession of crack cocaine, cash, and mobile phones and analytical work identified a county line operating from Merseyside to Exeter. Further suspects, transportation and accommodation was identified. Vehicles entering Devon were stopped and £27,000 of heroin and crack cocaine was seized. While searching a vulnerable local drug users address another gang member was arrested with drugs and cash. Further suspects co-ordinating this supply chain in Merseyside were identified, arrested, and charged.

The standard of this investigation and analytical evidence produced led to all suspects pleading guilty to drug supply offences and they received substantial prison sentences.

A Chief Superintendent’s Commendation for Community Policing, Fairness and Accountability was handed to Police Community Support Officer Hayley Widger who works in Axminster.

PCSO Widger is well known and highly regarded by all elements of the Axminster community. Throughout her time serving in the area Hayley has worked on many beneficial projects. She has been in post almost ten years.

Through engagement with an often hard to reach element of the community, she identified there were problems preventing drug users accessing help and support to aid their rehab/recovery. Hayley identified a suitable location for the drug recovery service to provide a drop-in facility, which removed cost and travel implications and where people could access the support they needed.

She also identified an independent speaker with real life experience who provides education to school age children. Hayley secured the funding and arranged for him to attend Axe Valley Academy and Woodruff School where he delivered a powerful and impactive input on the dangers of knifes, gangs and drugs. This timely input received massively positive feedback from the students, parents and local councillors.

A Chief Superintendent’s Commendation was also given to Detective Constable Andrew Stacey. He ran a complex investigation displaying innovative use of modern policing skills to convict a prolific Registered Sex Offender (RSO). Following the offender’s arrest for domestic assault on his elderly mother, detectives uncovered a ‘booksafe’ hidden on a shelf, which contained hard drives. DC Stacey discovered the drives contained indecent images and videos of children. Using a mix of phone data, financial investigation and Automatic Number Plate Recognition data, he traced the man to a hotel in Exeter. The offender was arrested and remanded in custody, thereby ensuring the conviction of a dangerous offender.

Pic below shows Det Supt Kevin Till and Det Con Andrew Stacey