Commendations for officers who aided crash victims

FOUR Essex Police officers who tried to save the lives of a man and a woman seriously injured in a collision have been commended by the force.

PC Matt Musson, PC Chloe Phillips, PC Dave Owen and PC Jonathan Main were received chief constable’s commendations for their dedication, bravery and professionalism while attempting to save the lives of two pedestrians after they were hit by a car in Basildon last year.

The officers began emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation and critical first aid in an attempt to save the victims’ lives. Sadly they both died at the scene, despite their best efforts. Paramedics praised the officers for their actions under extremely difficult circumstances.

A detective was also commended at the ceremony for his work in an illegal trafficking investigation.

The unnamed constable was praised for bringing the first case of human trafficking that Essex Police has dealt with to court. Due to the quality of evidence provided, the man pleaded guilty at court to intentionally facilitating travel of a person with a view to their sexual exploitation, controlling prostitution for gain and managing a brothel. He was sentenced to five-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Speaking at the ceremony at Police Headquarters on June 9, Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said: “Our officers deal with difficult circumstances and they do so in a professional and sensitive manner.

“They support vulnerable victims and attend tragic road traffic collisions and many more types of challenging incidents. They are the voice for the most vulnerable people of Essex. All these officers represent the best of British policing.”