Officers and staff along with emergency service workers and members of the public were honoured for their roles at a number of incidents across Torbay & Teignmouth.
The awards were presented by Chief Superintendent Keith Perkin, Superintendent Jeremy Capey and Chief Coroner Ian Arrow.
The awards ranged from Duties and Responsibilities through to bravery and outstanding composure to ensure the public safety.
PC Graham Derbyshire – For Duties and Responsibilities
PC Graham Derbyshire took over the investigation of a dog which had attacked a seven year old girl causing significant head injuries.
The investigation proved to be both difficult, highly emotive and involved complex legislation.
This along side the time it took the CPS making last minute demands of PC Derbyshire.
As a result of PC Derbyshire’s actions the court made an order against the suspected dog owner but did not order the destruction of the dog.
PC Derbyshire ensured that the situation remained calm, and his commemoration for stepping up and doing what is difficult rather than what is easy should be awarded.
Nikki Higginson – For bravery and selflessness
Nikki Higginson, in her role with the ambulance Service, was called to a male under the influence at Boots Chemist, Teignmouth.
Upon arrival she found the police speaking to the male in the back of the Ambulance, it was this point that the male launched an attack on the lone police officer.
Not prepared to see officer being attacked, and despite being considerably smaller than the suspect, Nikki stepped forward to defend the police officer.
An award for bravery, well deserved.
PC Ben Ayres – For outstanding Composure and ensuring public safety
Following an incident in Paignton, PC Ben Ayres was the first officer to respond to reports of a male with a grenade in a busy public space in Paignton.
PC Ben Ayres had arrived just as the male had pulled the pin and dropped it into the grass.
With support from his Inspector, PC Ben Ayres organised the calm and structured evacuation of the park until specialist units could arrive.
Whilst organising this he was also providing constant updates and also began to engage with the male.
Resulting in the male eventually surrendering and the grenade being destroyed by specialists.
PC Anthony Murray, PCSO Abigail Seaman, PCSO Darrell Andrew, PCSCO O’Neill, PCSO Lisa Veitch, PC Dave Thomas – For Duties and Responsibilities
As part of Operation Olympic, which is being led by Paignton and Brixham Neighbourhood Policing Teams, which focuses on the disruption and prevention of supply of a controlled drug.
In total the team has planned and executed 87 premise search warrants and arrested 68 people, seizing controlled drugs, and criminal assets totalling in excess of £250,000.
Support for the operation has been gathered via social media and as a result has seen confidence in the operation increase.
Custodial sentences have also been given as a direct result of the raids with Country line gangs thwarted and diverted from the towns.
As a result of Operation Olympic a multi-agency safeguarding approach is being adopted in response to the harm caused and a number of people are being provided with ongoing multi-agency support.
Some are even being re-housed bringing about a positive change to the lives of many vulnerable people in the community.
PS Peter Giesens – For Selflessness
In the furnace of the summer of 2018 PS Peter Giesens attended the report of a male that was unconscious and not breathing in Torquay.
The officers took it in turns to administer CPR for 15 minutes until an ambulance attended the scene.
Despite the best efforts of PS Peter Giesens, the male sadly passed away, although the consultant said if it weren’t for everyone’s timely intervention and CPR the male would have died at the scene.
Graham Shuttleworth, Kelly Stockman and Rachel Drake – For Pubic Service
In June 2018, the police were called in regards to a male who had been found unconscious and not breathing in Torquay.
Graham Shuttleworth, Kelly Stockman and Rachel Drake, demonstrated a real sense of public duty to ensure the male was given proper care.
The trio administered first aid until the emergency services attended the scene.
Despite their best efforts the male sadly passed away, although the consultant at TDH said if it weren’t for everyone’s timely intervention and CPR the male would have died at the scene.
Coroner Commendation
DC Ian Clenaham, DC Michael Locke, Researcher Naomi Hamilton, Communications Rachel Wieck and Mr Wayne Baker – For their dedication, exceptional investigation and public service
Operation Agua, was a complex investigation by Torbay CID into ATM explosions and robbery with a weapon.
The investigation pursued the Organised Crime Group resulting in the identification of 9 suspects.
This two year investigation involved detailed analysis of phone data, forensics, co-ordinating numerous briefings, “manhunts”, arrests and searches in force and in Liverpool.
Officers worked tirelessly and often in their own time, da and night.
Their selfless commitment resulted in offenders total sentencing of 50 years.
