Police officers, staff and members of the public have received awards for exceptional acts of selflessness, compassion and bravery.
The Chief Constable’s Commendations and Long Service Ceremony took place at force headquarters in Hinchingbrooke last night (November 29) with awards going to recipients who had gone above and beyond.
Chief Constable Nick Dean praised those who had excelled as he presented the awards at his first ceremony in the role.
He said: “Quite often in policing we simply accept these actions as either, ‘isn’t that what anyone would do’, or not take the time to really say thank you for the work that is undertaken day in, day out by so many people.
“It was humbling to hear the stories of those putting their own lives at risk to help others, as well as those who have had such compassion and kindness towards others in difficult circumstances.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Jason Ablewhite added: “It was such a pleasure to meet everyone last night and to hear their inspiring stories of professionalism, dedication and commitment.
“I would like to add my thanks to everyone for the remarkable efforts they have made to keep our communities safe.”
Julie Spence, Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, attended the event to present the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to officers who had served 20 years or more within the force.
PCs Ross Beesley and Dennis Williams were just two of our officers praised at the Chief Constable’s Commendations and Long Service Ceremony last night.
Dennis (based in Ely) and Ross (based in March and Wisbech) were thanked for providing vital aid and support to residents of the British Virgin Islands in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
Both officers faced poor sanitation and drank water later found to be infected with e-coli.
They used any spare time to deliver toys, books and gifts to children left with nothing after seeking funding from the force’s Police Federation and the PCC’s office.
Sgt Darren Gore and DC Richard Diggle were praised after performing CPR in May this year and saving the life of a man who had collapsed on his sofa at his home in March.
Other officers, police staff and members of the public were also commended for their actions.
Det Supt Jon McAdam, DI Dan Pawson, DI Chris O’Brien, DS Jim Donington, DC Tracey Black, DC Tim Towell and DC Julie Ellison were praised for their work in Operation Cumulus.
Op Cumulus was launched in February after a 13-year-old girl from West Yorkshire went missing while visiting family in Peterborough.
She had taken all of her belongings but had no money and no phone – and after six days there were no confirmed sightings of her. However, officers then had a breakthrough and discovered the girl in a hotel room in Birmingham.
PCs Kirsty Hulley and Carl Stoppard received a Royal Humane Society award for saving the life of a 25-year-old man who collapsed outside Cambridge railway station in October 2016.
Two members of the public, Luke Allen and his friend were praised for their bravery at the scene of a fatal crash on the A1198 at Bassingbourn in September 2016.
Both men pulled people out of, and away from, the wreckage of a Renault Clio and a Volkswagen Polo which were both on fire.
Sadly, the woman driving the Renault and a nine-year-old boy from the Volkswagen died from their injuries, but the bravery shown by Luke and his friend gave comfort to the grieving relatives and ensured the two other people involved suffered only minor injuries.
PCs Jess Farchica and Natalie Hines were thanked for their bravery after tackling a knife-wielding man in Peterborough during a domestic incident in January.
Before being Tasered and arrested, the man grabbed PC Hine by the hair and walked towards PC Farchica with a 12-inch carving knife.
Inspector Caroline Scully and DC Alex Dopadlik were also commended for their work on national initiative Police Now, which recruits graduates with a flair for problem solving and offers them a non-conventional route into policing.
Roll of honour
The award recipients who are happy to receive media coverage are:
Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
PC Chris Buxton
Sgt James Hobson
DS Andrew Lunn
Insp Matt Snow
DC Jane Stokes
ACC Dan Vajzovic
PC Nigel Wilson
Police staff Long Service award
Jane Goodier
Special Constabulary Long Service award
Special Inspector Clare Greaney
Assistant Chief Officer Alexander Walden
Certificate of Achievement
PC Ross Beesley
PC Dennis Williams
Insp Caroline Scully
DC Alex Dopadlik
Commendations
PC Jess Farchica
PC Natalie Hines
Sharon Alger-Wells (Police National Computer supervisor)
Sgt Darren Gore
DC Richard Diggle
D Supt Jon McAdam
DI Dan Pawson
DI Chris O’Brien
DS Jim Donington
DC Tracey Black
DC Tim Towell
DC Julie Ellison
Brian Taylor (Scenes of Crime Officer)
PC Leigh Fenton
Royal Humane Society - Resuscitation Certificate
PC Kirsty Hulley
PC Carl Stoppard
Testimonial on Vellum
Luke Allen
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here