Shropshire police officers commended at ceremony
Twelve Shropshire police officers were presented with Superintendent's Commendations at a ceremony in Shrewsbury last night.
The officers were among 21 to receive the award for their excellent policing work which has saved lives and tackled crime in the county during incidents and investigations going back to 2010.
The other nine recipients were unable to attend the ceremony, which was hosted by Superintendent James Tozer.
Guests included the High Sheriff of Shropshire, Mrs Diana Flint, the Deputy Mayor of Shrewsbury, Cllr Mrs Beverley Baker and the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, Bill Longmore.
Supt Tozer presented the awards, which were introduced by Chief Inspector Paul Moxley and Detective Chief Inspector Pete Davies.
PCs Ian Osborne, Tony Smith and Emma Watson were commended for acting in a prompt and professional manner, using emergency first aid skills to help save the life of a member of the public in January 2012.
The three attended an address in Shrewsbury where they found an elderly man who was blue in the face with no signs of life. They administered CPR until the ambulance crew arrived, and the man was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital where he was reported to be breathing and had a heartbeat.
Detective Constables Sam Salt and Mat Crisp were commended for their professionalism, thoroughness and resilience during the investigation into the fatal stabbing of a woman in Oswestry in December 2010.
DC Salt was family liaison officer and DC Crisp officer in the case, which resulted in a 59 year old man being jailed for 12 years for manslaughter.
Four detectives were commended for their work during a police investigation into the violent murder of a woman in Hanwood, near Shrewsbury in December 2010 which resulted in a 52 year old man being jailed for life.
DS Jon Matthews was commended for "leadership and professionalism in coordinating the response to three suspicious death investigations within a 24 hour period, including the arrest of two murder suspects".
DC Lee Holehouse and another officer, who cannot be named for operational reasons, were commended for their "tenacity and detective ability in the successful pursuit of complex expert evidence resulting in the offender entering a guilty plea to murder rather than manslaughter by diminished responsibility."
DC Della Grice was commended for "professionalism and detective ability in establishing the identity of the suspect and locating him within hours of the offence taking place."
PCs Mark Roberts and Matthew Norfolk were commended for their bravery and quick thinking in disarming a violent man with a knife during a public order incident in Oswestry in July 2012.
The officers were said to have displayed considerable courage in tackling the man in order to protect the public.
The man received a 46 week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and made the subject of a supervision order.
PC Ben Docherty (now DC), was also commended for disarming a man with a knife.
The 71 year old man stabbed his ex wife and then himself in front of shoppers and passers by in Sandford Avenue, Church Stretton in May 2012 before PC Docherty disarmed him and administered first aid.
The offender was charged with attempted murder and although ruled to be unfit to plead to the charge he was found responsible for causing the injuries and has since been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.
PCs Chris Baldwin and Kevin Payne were commended for their actions in preventing a suicidal man from jumping from a bridge into the River Severn in July last year.
They struck up a rapport with the man, offering care and support and through communication skills and tenacity brought the incident to a successful conclusion.
DCs Tony Smith and Mike Sanders were commended for their part in an investigation into the theft of car parts from a Shrewsbury motor business.
The investigation identified property worth about £13,000 from the company, the recovery of more than 500 items and the conviction of three offenders.
A burglary team was commended for an investigation which resulted in three offenders being jailed for between two and a half and five years for offences in Shropshire, Telford, Staffordshire and Cheshire.
The team included Detective Inspector Pete Brophy, DS Andy Chatting, DC David Bettison, DC Della Grice and a fifth officer who cannot be named for operational reasons.
Supt Tozer said: "I am very proud to be policing commander for Shropshire, and to work with so many great people. All of our police officers do an excellent job to protect the people of our county, but those who have received awards have gone above and beyond the normal high standards to save lives and detect crime. For some it was their courage in difficult situations and others their professionalism throughout difficult investigations.
"I was delighted to present the awards, and to welcome so many family and friends who have the role of supporting and enabling our officers to undertake their roles."
