Police officers and members of the public have been honoured at the Police Scotland Bravery and Meritorious Service Awards.
Chief Constable Phil Gormley QPM yesterday presented commendations for bravery and meritorious conduct to 36 police officers and 21 members of the public for the efforts to keep people safe at a ceremony at Police Scotland College, Tulliallan.
Police officers who received commendations included a Constable who, despite being hit in the face with an iron, was able to prevent three men from intervening in an arrest in Glasgow, two Constables from Fife who were attacked by an abusive member of the public armed with a Taser, and a Road Policing Sergeant in Edinburgh who – along with two members of the public – saved the life of a man walking along the M8 motorway.
Among the members of the public who were honoured were five young boys from Edinburgh who spotted a distressed woman entering the water at Gypsy Brae and tried to stop her, before alerting HM Coastguard and recording the incident on a mobile phone, and two off-duty Marie Curie nurses in Aberdeenshire who stopped to assist an off duty police officer who had been the victim of a hit and run road traffic accident.
The Chief Constable said, “It is genuinely humbling to hear of the extraordinary lengths people have gone to, to help others. I was privileged to present these awards, meet the winners and to hear more about their stories.
“It is absolutely right we honour their bravery and show not only how proud we are of our police officers in Scotland, but also of members of the public who don’t hesitate to take action to help another person at what could be the most difficult time of that individual’s life.
“The actions of today’s winners – both officers and members of the public – have undoubtedly saved lives and touched the hearts of people across the country.
“People become police officers to help others – I hope these awards make more people consider policing as a career when they see the difference they could make to others in their day to day work.”
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said, “Today I have met exceptional people whose actions have saved lives, supported the vulnerable and brought criminals to justice.
“This is a chance for us to recognise the actions of police officers and staff who have gone beyond the call of duty to help others in times of great need. Also members of the public who have shown true community spirit and put themselves at risk to help others, including five young people whose maturity and resourcefulness avoided a potentially tragic outcome.
“We are indebted to everyone receiving awards today. I have no doubt their actions have touched the lives of individuals, families and communities across the country. They serve as an inspiration to us all.”
Andrew Flanagan, Chair of the Scottish Police Authority, said, “I am in no doubt that the loyalty and flexibility shown by our officers and staff are the biggest contributor to the continuing quality of service delivered to our communities.
“Today’s awards are an opportunity for us to acknowledge and reward the outstanding work that our officers and staff do day in, day out. But importantly, the awards also give us the unique opportunity to acknowledge those members of the public who have helped policing to keep the people of Scotland safe. Congratulations to all today’s winners.”
The event was generously sponsored by Police Mutual and its Chief Executive Stephen Mann said, “Police Mutual is very proud to be the sponsor of the Police Scotland Bravery Awards. It is an honour we are able to recognise these brave individuals who have acted so selflessly for the benefit of their communities.”
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.
