Essex Police officers lauded at force’s annual awards ceremony

COURAGEOUS and committed police officers from across Essex were lauded this month as the force celebrated its annual awards ceremony.

Officers who rescued residents from burning buildings and who pulled people in peril from the sea were congratulated by the chief constable for their acts of bravery.

PCs Keith Lucas and Shane Robinson won the Eastern Region Police Bravery Award for putting out a human a man who had set himself alight at a petrol station. The officers’ actions saved his life and the lives of others.

PCs Paul Downes and Paul Barry were congratulated after they ran into a house fire to rescue two elderly women trapped inside. They were awarded the Wilson Trophy for most commendable meritorious act.

PC David Bridge ran 100metres in the pitch black sea at night to rescue a woman with deep wounds to her arms who would have died, the ceremony heard.

And PCs James Ruijs and James Marshall were praised after they rescued a distressed man from a roof.

Det Insp Caroline Venables took home the Millard Trophy for services to the community, while the Bennett Trophy for probationer of the year went to David Wilkinson.

Christopher McGlade received the Sir Jonathan Peel trophy for top exam results while Dan O’Connell was named Special Constable of the year.

The Anthony Peel Trophy for crime reduction was given to PC Kevin Bingham and PC PC Alex Plakhtienko was named Police Officer of the Year.

The Liam Brigginshaw Award for Outstanding Commitment went to DC Tracey Fullerton.

Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh told the winners and nominees: “These actions and acts of heroism are astonishing. You are the best of us, and I am humbled and immensely proud to be standing here tonight as your Chief Constable to hear about the exceptional bravery and dedication shown by you every day to keep us safe.”

The ceremony was held at Hylands Hall on Tuesday 10 March.