Life saving Essex Police Officers win Federation Bravery Award

TWO Essex Police Officers from Braintree who risked their safety to save the life of a man after he threatened to jump from a busy road bridge have won an Essex Police Federation Bravery Award.

PC Matthew Parker and Sgt Richard Ambrose responded to a 999-call in March 2018 saying a man was sitting on the wrong side of railings on the bridge over the A120 in Braintree.

Arriving at the scene, the officers could see the man was wearing pyjamas and was apparently drinking alcohol.

It was clear the man was intent on harming himself and the officers quickly realised that he had to be dragged away from his precarious position to prevent him from falling onto the road below.

The officers managed to get hold of the man and pull him from his precarious perch. It transpired that he had previously sent a suicide note to his girlfriend.

The officers then accompanied the man in the ambulance to the hospital, where he received the appropriate care.

Without the officers’ prompt intervention, the man could clearly have died or seriously injured himself and others.

PC Parker said they knew they had to act quickly to try and save his life.

“It was an instinctive thing,” he said. “We knew we needed to act right now. We can’t stand around talking, and that’s why there wasn’t any conversation between us. I don’t remember saying anything. We just looked at each other as if to say, ‘we need to grab him right now’, and we did.

“It was just a reaction to what was going on there. He needed us [the police] in that one instant to make sure he doesn’t do something stupid. But then from that moment on, he needed to be in the care of people who can help what he’s going through mentally, to put him in a better place.

“It’s a really nice feeling to be recognised for having done something positive.

“I think we take for granted the things that we do sometimes because we’re dealing with people so regularly.”

Essex Police Federation Chair Laura Heggie said the officers’ quick actions had belied the danger they faced.

“Without hesitation or concern for their own safety, Sgt Ambrose and PC Parker got his man to safety while ensuring he and others weren’t injured,” she said.

“It was real teamwork, and through their actions, they made sure the man got the mental health support he needed.

“They are very worthy award winners, and we’re very proud of them both.”

Sgt Ambrose and PC Parker will attend the first ever Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards – which will combine celebrating 2020 and 2021 winners – this September. Overall winners for both years will be announced and they will go on to compete in the National Police Bravery Awards.

The Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards are sponsored by Uniform Mortgages.