Devon & Cornwall Police News site

Devon & Cornwall Police’s Cornwall & Isles of Scilly team gathered for its last awards of the year this week, to acknowledge the service and commitment of its officers, staff and volunteers.

Twenty-four officers were recognised at the Force Awards Ceremony at Pool Innovation Centre on Tuesday 6 December, to celebrate their commitment, professionalism, quick thinking and often live-saving actions.

Chief Superintendent’s Commendations were awarded to the following dedicated officers: Police Constable’s Hannah Phillips and Danielle Moore-Dunstan from St Austell Police Station were recognised for their courage and quick thinking in a dangerous situation, preventing a man from seriously harming himself - in response to information received by the Force’s contact centre.

These two officers were faced with a hazardous and emotive situation, when a man suffering from a mental health crisis threatened to end his life.  By building a rapport with the man, calmly taking control and quickly protecting him from harm and they saved his life. The man received mental health support and has since relocated to a new home to be nearer to his family.

Police Community Support Officer Shirley Graham received a Chief Superintendent’s Commendation for her professionalism and dedication - most notably for her involvement and development of a program for 13 – 15-year-olds on the Isles of Scilly called ‘Preparing for adulthood’. This educational, personal-social experience includes travel to the mainland, allowing the children to gain valuable knowledge of higher education as well as the opportunity to experience life away from the Isles of Scilly. The programme was possible due to funding from Safer Scilly and the Cornwall Community Foundation. Shirley’s work helped decrease anti-social behaviour in the area and encouraged a greater community respect for the police and what the police do. 

Detective Constable Claire Trengove based in Camborne and Redruth received a Chief Superintendent’s Commendation for an investigation centring on the possession of indecent images of child abuse. Claire took charge of the case with an early arrest, organising medicals of the victim and sibling, also ascertaining that the accused was breaking bail conditions and spending time with young people. The offender pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 11 years and 4 years on license. Detective Constable Trengove recognised the significant emotional impact on the victim, the family and risk to the wider community and ensured the victim needs remained at the forefront of the investigation.

Tri Service Support Officer Adrian Hart was awarded a Chief Superintendent’s Commendation for his selfless actions when stepping into save a man’s life after a 999 call was made due to him having a suspected heart attack.  Despite being off duty, after finding out no ambulances were available to attend, he left home to collect his medical kit and promptly arrived at the man’s home in Hayle provide rapid first aid to the casualty, stabilise him and then escorted the man to hospital.

Police Sergeant Mike Friday, supported by a police officer from another part of the country and a member of the public have received both Chief Superintendent’s Commendations and Chief Superintendent’s Good Citizenship Award’s for their bravery and selfless behaviour. Police Sergeant Mike Friday was off duty in St Ives and saw a man wanted for several outstanding serious offences with a potential for extreme violence and links to the use of firearms and knives. After considering the risks to himself, and whether to keep the man under observation, he tried to detain the man to protect the public until other officers could attend. The male then became very angry, using aggressive and abusive words, threatening PS Friday and his friends and family. PS Friday suspected he may have a weapon on him so took hold of the male’s wrist. The male began to resist and became more aggressive and violent which caused PS Friday to take the male to the floor whilst he awaited back up. During this struggle, an off duty South Yorkshire Police officer came to PS Friday’s assistance. In addition, a brave member of the public, also assisted with the detention of the male.  The member of the public and PC Thorndyke then continued to assist PS Friday to restrain the male on the floor until an Armed Response Unit arrived at the scene to assist. On their arrival they handcuffed the male and took over detention of him. During the struggle PS Friday received cuts to his left hand, cuts to both knees and muscle damage to his left shoulder.

Detective Constable Matthew Critchley from Bodmin Police Station will also be awarded the Chief Superintendent’s Commendation for his professionalism and dedication to duty. He was responsible as part of his duties for C.C.T.V. presentations, giving extended, detailed evidence at trials related to a murder in Liskeard in January 2020 and an investigation centring on a children's nursery. His evidence helped secure the sentencing of offenders who received a total of 35 years in prison.

Superintendent Certificates were awarded to Police Constable’s Taome Thomson, Mesha Wardman and Chris Braddon (Camborne), Police Constable’s Dean Martin and Claudette Jordan (Truro), Police Community Support Officer Richard Hill (Tregony), Police Sergeant Billy Elliot and Police Constable’s Darren Palmer, David Pettigrew, and Mike Craig (Bodmin), Detective Constable Neil Goddard (Penzance), Detective Inspector Chris Donald and Detective Constables Alistair Ispas-Hellyar and Amy Edwards (Newquay, Bodmin & St Austell) and Detective Constable Joy Martin (Pool).

Chief Superintendent Ben Deer, Commander for the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly police teams said: “I am incredibly proud of the dedication and professionalism of our officers and staff who work so hard to keep Cornwall one of the safest places in the country.

Every day our team protect and safeguard our communities whilst pursuing criminals and undertaking complex investigations. Our officers are often the first on the scene in dangerous situations. Thanks to their quick-thinking actions, they saved lives, brought criminals to justice, supported victims of crime and educated young people about our community role.

We appreciate the Vice-Lord Lieutenant James Williams joining us today in Pool as we recognised the exemplar work of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly police team.”

If you’re inspired by these stories, and think a career working for the police in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly might be for you, Devon & Cornwall Police has job opportunities which you can find out more about online.