Commendations For Brilliant Essex Bobbies

A GROUP of seven Essex officers have been commended for their actions which helped save the lives of several individuals.

The seven officers in question included one who single-handedly shut the M25 to deal with the accident and two others who provided life-saving first aid to a man.

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington was on hand to award the officers with commendations for their actions.

He said: “It always brings me great pleasure to host these ceremonies to celebrate ordinary individuals taking extraordinary steps to help save the lives of others, protect the vulnerable and keep the people of Essex safe.

“It might be what our officers, staff and volunteers do on a daily basis but their actions are courageous and I take great pride in being able to award them.”

Among the officers honoured was PC Robert Cleal (pictured), who was one of the first on scene to a traffic collision on the A120.

He gave first aid to a man who had suffered serious injuries, and was unconscious when PC Cleal found him. Thanks to PC Cleal’s decisive actions the man survived his injuries.

PCs Martin Baumber and Jason Keyte were also recognised for their bravery to save a suicidal man.

The pair discovered a car completely engulfed in flames but managed to use their negotiation skills to keep the man safe. The officers also managed to keep the public safe from harm but suffered injuries as a result of their heroism.

In June 2018, PC Adam Gammans and PC Charlotte Rowley saved the life of a man who had attempted to take his own life.

The duo found a man losing a substantial amount of blood, who would have died had it not been for the intervention of the officers. Using their knowledge and experience the officers provided life-saving first aid while they waited for an ambulance.

Thanks to their actions, the man went on to make a full recovery.

PC Tina Quinlivan attended the scene of a serious road traffic collision involving several vehicles on the M25 motorway.

Bravely, PC Quinlivan single-handedly closed the motorway to preserve the collision scene and safeguard those injured. She also performed CPR on a seriously injured motorcyclist who was unconscious and had lost a substantial amount of blood.

Tina’s professionalism, bravery and selflessness helped keep a number of people safe from harm.

Sgt Graham Thomas was also nominated for his work in protecting a vulnerable woman from causing harm to herself.

The woman was sitting on a ledge threatening to take her own life when Sgt Thomas arrived at the scene. Using his experience and cool head, Sgt Thomas managed to build rapport and eventually pull her to safety.

Congratulations to all the officers commended for their continued work in keeping communities safe.