Police employees and community workers recognised at West Sussex awards do

A number of Sussex Police employees and community workers have been recognised for going above and beyond the call of duty.

The individuals were commended for their achievements at the West Sussex divisional awards ceremony, held at Arundel Castle on Monday 18 October.

Awards were presented for a variety of reasons including complex investigations, impactful community engagement and life-saving actions.

Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges, Divisional Commander for West Sussex, said: “These awards are held annually to recognise the achievements of individuals who make a difference, both from within our own workforce as well as our volunteers and members of the public.

“We are fortunate to have a large workforce of hard-working, dedicated and selfless workers whose responsibilities often take them into unchartered territory, or – as we have seen with the Coronavirus pandemic – unprecedented scenarios.

“Our officers and staff face numerous challenges throughout the year, whether it be responding to dangerous or hostile situations on the front line, planning to mitigate risks for a large event, or providing training to enable others to excel, for example.

“Far too often, these challenges are considered to be just ‘part of the job’, but this is far from the truth.

“This event is a special occasion in a special venue which we have matched with special people, and gives us the opportunity to showcase these people for going above and beyond, and for making a difference to our communities across West Sussex. I am proud of each and every one of those who have received their awards.”

Here are some of the awards citations:
 

  • PC Charlene Parsons and PC Louise Chapman were commended for their quick-thinking actions which prevented a serious assault from occurring.

    The pair were off duty and dining at The Sussex Yeoman pub in Durrington with their young child, when they witnessed a verbal altercation between two men.
     
  • Police Enquiry Officer Ian Taylor received praise for assisting a woman who attended Bognor Regis Police Station to report a stalking incident at her home. Using his previous experience as a scenes of crime officer, Ian was able to advise the woman how to prepare the soil outside her address in order to preserve a footprint in the event of a repeat visit.
     
  • PC Dani Gardner was commended for her bravery and professionalism in the way she dealt with a young man armed with a knife, who threatened to harm himself.

    Whilst off duty with her family, Dani witnessed the man going in and out of traffic along the A259 in Worthing. Identifying the need to safeguard others, Dani did not hesitate and pulled her car over and confronted him. Together with a member of the public she then took him back to his care home.

    Whilst there, she saw the man go into the kitchen and grab a knife, and consequently threaten to harm himself. At this point Dani ran into the kitchen and wrestled the man to the floor, disarming him of the knife and requesting that staff call 999 for police. She arrested the man and detained him until police colleagues arrived.
     
  • PCs Jack Buchanan, Tim Bond, Jemma Cranfield and Rob Ruffle were recognised for their heroics when responding to a report of a man in distress who had walked into the River Adur.

    PC Ruffle used his specialist skills as a drone operator to locate the man, who was found face down in the mud and unconscious. The man’s partner had also become stuck when attempting to rescue him, so a quick decision was made to enter the riverbank.

    PC Buchanan and PC Bond waded through the mud at 3am in freezing conditions to rescue the pair, while PC Cranfield located equipment to assist in the rescue, and provided commentary and directions for the other emergency services attending the incident.

    When the man was brought out of the river he was suffering with hyperthermia and all four officers provided him with immediate first aid. The quick response and actions of the officers in attendance ultimately saved the man’s life.

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