A number of local police officers were recognised last night at the Scottish Government’s Brave@Heart awards.
Celebrating exceptional acts of bravery, the Brave@Heart awards give special recognition to staff from the “blue lights services” and members of the public who have saved lives often at risk to their own.
Thirteen Police Scotland Officers were recognised for their acts of bravery which included rescuing people from burning buildings, saving people threatening to take their own lives and rescuing a boy from a dangerous dog.
Congratulating the award winners, Chief Constable Sir Stephen House, said: “The Brave@Heart awards are an important recognition of the work of our officers. Policing is a highly valued public service – we exist to serve the public and to keep people safe. I am pleased that the excellent work of so many Police Scotland officers has been recognised for their commitment to their duty and their communities at these awards.
“Everyday policing often presents difficult, dangerous and challenging situations for our officers. I would like to pay tribute to all our police officers and staff who day in, day out, show continued professionalism and dedication to keeping people safe.”
Vic Emery, Chair of the Scottish Police Authority added:”Every police officer who takes the oath of office does so knowing that they are taking on a role in life that is based upon taking a step forward, and not a step back. These awards demonstrate that in doing so, police officers make a huge contribution to changing the course of individual lives, often at moments of crisis with potentially desperate consequences, as well as supporting the wider confidence and resilience of our communities.”
The Police Scotland Award winners included Constable John Andrews, Constable Lewis Dalgetty, Temporary Sergeant Keith Scott and Constable Keith Tulloch, Craigmillar Police Station.
Constables John Andrews, Lewis Dalgetty, Keith Scott and Keith Tulloch responded to a frantic 999 call. Thick smoke was billowing from a 4th floor flat in a common stair serving 16 flats. Officers entered the stairwell to evacuate residents while providing essential control-room updates on the situation. Officers were eventually forced to withdraw due to smoke when fire-fighters arrived on scene. Three officers were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation. There is no doubt that without the considerable bravery of these four that several of the residents would not have been successfully evacuated.
Also recognised was Constable Garrett Hughes, Prestonpans Police Station who responded a distressed 14 year old girl who entered the sea at Prestonpans with the intention of committing suicide. Despite December weather and rough sea conditions, Hughes swam out to her. Reaching her 20 metres from shore he discovered she was already unconscious, her face partially submerged and icy cold to the touch. Hughes got the girl back to shore where medical staff said if the girl had remained in the water even for a few minutes more the outcome might have been tragic. Constable Hughes displayed strength, determination and bravery to save the life of a vulnerable young woman.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
