Police Awards Ceremony 2008

The annual Police Awards ceremony was held on Thursday 7th February 2008 at the Sefton Hotel, Douglas. The following awards were presented to employees of the Isle of Man Constabulary and members of the public who have made an outstanding contribution to the Manx community over the past year. All photos courtesy of IoM Newspapers.

SPECIAL CONSTABULARY LONG SERVICE MEDAL was presented to officers who have completed 9 years’ exemplary service to the public. Recipients were: Ron Ellison, Alan Wade, Bev Fellows, Malcolm Walkden, Garth Faragher and Sid Bell.

POLICE LONG SERVICE & GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL This medal was inaugurated by King George VI in 1951 and is presented under Royal Warrant to police officers who have completed 22 years’ police service in recognition of exemplary service to the public. This year medals were awarded to Deputy Chief Constable Gary Roberts, Inspector Paul Cubbon, Detective Sergeant Mike Venables, Sergeant George Quilliam (pictured right), Detective Constable Iain Cuthbert and Constable Colin Kelly.

CHIEF CONSTABLE’S CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

• Sergeant Gary Hardman for meritorious work: During the Centenary TT, Sergeant Hardman effectively co-ordinated the work of the Roads Policing Unit with the rest of the Constabulary’s policing operation and Noble’s Hospital. His enthusiasm, his overall approach and the quality of his work helped facilitate an outstanding and successful policing operation.
• Sergeant Mark Britton, Constables Graham Corran, Claire McCabe, Adrian Shimmin and Gianni Fabrizio for courage and quick thinking: On 30th May 2007 officers were called to a report of a woman slashing her wrists. They were confronted by a drunken woman who was bleeding heavily from both wrists. As they arrived she flung herself from her apartment window and when officers reached her she was clinging to a ledge some 40 feet up above the ground. Officers held onto her and successfully pulled her back into the flat, where they had to restrain her before rendering first aid.
• Constable Matthew Creer and Search & Rescue Dog, Lola, for prompt and professional conduct On 6th November 2006, Mr Creer and his Search & Rescue dog, Lola, located a woman who had attempted to commit suicide and who was hidden in a disused barn. This allowed the woman to be given the prompt medical attention she required.
• Constables Robert Midghall, Paul Dugdale and Andrew Morgan for meritorious conduct under pressure: On 25th January 2004 officers attended a fatal stabbing in Ramsey. Despite being confronted by an unpleasant and challenging situation, they effectively co-ordinated the policing response, preserved the scene and secured evidence which ultimately helped lead to a conviction.
• Constable Peter Brammall and Mrs Jackie Brammall for attempting to save a life: On 24th June 2007, whilst off duty, Constable Brammall attended to a collapsed neighbour and performed CPR until such time as paramedics removed the man to hospital. In the meantime Mrs Brammall comforted the man’s distraught wife and assisted her husband.
• Mr Peter Godwin, Ms Michelle Bartlett, Sergeant Mark Britton and Constable Stewart Footer for courage: On 17th March 2007, Mr Godwin and Ms Bartlett were driving in Derby Square, Douglas, when they were confronted by a man brandishing a firearm. Ms Bartlett alerted the police and gave a detailed description. Sergeant Britton and Constable Footer attended and the offender pointed the weapon at them. Despite the obvious threat, Mr Godwin and Ms Bartlett remained nearby to assist the police and the two officers behaved courageously and calmly in difficult circumstances.
• Constables Bryn Griffith and Eric Sloane and Special Constable Alana MacGregor for courage: On 29th June 2007 a man entered the sea at Ramsey with the intention of killing himself. The officers restrained him and dragged him from the water.
• Constable Ian Tumblety for selfless action: On 3rd September 2006 Constable Tumblety went to the assistance of a colleague who was being violently assaulted by an offender. Acting in a selfless manner, Constable Tumblety prevented the offender from causing serious injury to his colleague. In doing so, he was injured himself.
• Constable John Collings for outstanding dedication to duty Constable Collings has been the Coroner’s Officer since 15th September 2003. In this time he has demonstrated exceptional commitment to his work, providing a compassionate, professional service to bereaved families 365 days a year. So notable has been the quality of his dedication and work, that unsolicited testimonials have been received from the Deputy Coroner of Inquests, the management and staff at Noble’s Hospital Mortuary Department and the bereaved families.
• Ms Clare Porter for professionalism, innovation and creativity Ms Porter has introduced professionalism, innovation and creativity in developing an approach to people management which has impacted positively on performance improvements within the Isle of Man Constabulary.

CHIEF CONSTABLE’S CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION

• Constable Anthony McNally and Special Constable Andrew Le Prevost for bravery: On 20th February 2007 Constable McNally and Special Constable Le Prevost attended a report of a flat on fire in Snaefell Road, Willaston. In the absence of the Fire & Rescue Service and believing the premises to be occupied, they entered and searched the flat, which was ablaze and filled with smoke. They located and safely removed the occupant who was asleep. Their actions undoubtedly saved a life.
• Constable Raymond Brondon for bravery: On 5th December 2006, Constable Brondon attended the report of an abandoned vehicle on Marine Drive, Braddan. After a thorough search he located the body of a woman 100 feet below the road and just above sea level. Despite treacherous weather conditions and waves breaking onto the rocks, he made his way down the cliff, where he determined that life was extinct. He remained with the body and co-ordinated the emergency response.
• Sergeant Darrill Pearson and Constable Graham Corran for bravery and meritorious conduct under pressure: On 26th May 2007 Sergeant Pearson and Constable Corran were sent to a report of a fire in Castle Mona Avenue, Douglas. They were confronted with thick smoke pouring from a house. Constable Corran forced an entry and rescued two men from the burning building. Together the officers made attempts to rescue a third man but were beaten back by thick smoke. Officers from the Fire & Rescue Services subsequently rescued him. Sergeant Pearson assisted by Constable Corran co-ordinated the safe evacuation of neighbouring buildings including a large hotel, before both officers were admitted to hospital for treatment.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE AWARD TROPHY

This was awarded to SHOPWATCH for developing an effective and meaningful partnership between the police and the community aimed at enhancing community safety and bringing about mutual understanding. SHOPWATCH (comprising Douglas Retailers’ Association, Douglas Development Partnership, Douglas Borough Council, Constables Gareth Leather and Bruce Nelson) is a joint crime reduction and community safety scheme which sends out the message that shoplifters are not welcome in Douglas. Its members have made a significant contribution working with the police in both preventing and detecting theft from shops. Since its launch in February 2006 the detection rate for recorded thefts from shops has risen from 50% to over 80% therefore it is clear that partnership working is effective.

THE RICHARD KENNAUGH TROPHY Following the tragic death of Constable Kennaugh, his family asked for him to be remembered by the annual presentation of this cup awarded to the Probationer who has shown the most promise, aptitude and enthusiasm during their training months. This year's recipient was Constable Karl Breadner

THE CHIEF CONSTABLE’S CUP (SPECIAL CONSTABULARY) Awarded to the recruits having achieved the highest marks on the induction course: Special Constable Aileen Fraser, Special Constable John Hockaday and Special Constable David Watts.

ISLE OF MAN POLICE FEDERATION CUP FOR SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC Awarded for consistently high levels of service to the public: Special Constable Sidney Bell

COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR Awarded by Isle of Man Newspapers on public nomination to the officer deemed to have contributed most to community policing in the last 12 months: Constable Stuart Clague.

Lt. Col. ROY LEEDER TROPHY Previous Commander of the Special Constabulary, Lieutenant Colonel Roy Leeder initiated this trophy to be awarded to the best achiever in the Isle of Man Special Constabulary Special: Constable Malcolm Walkden.

R. K. EASON TROPHY This Trophy was donated to the Isle of Man Constabulary in 1969 by the High Bailiff Mr R. K. Eason in appreciation of the Service during his time in office. He asked it be awarded to one or more officers who contributed the most outstanding performance in the fields of Police Service (in all aspects): Constable Alan Jones.

ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY AWARDS The Testimonial on Parchment is awarded where someone has put themselves in danger to save, or attempt to save, someone else. Many of the awards go to people who have swum to the rescue of someone else - in a quarry, a lake, a river or at sea. The recipients were:

• Constable Faith Cooper – for having, on the 15th October 2006, at great personal risk, gone to the rescue of a woman in danger of drowning in the sea at Castletown Harbour, whose life she courageously saved. She received a Testimonial in Vellum, which is awarded where someone has put themselves in considerable danger to save, or attempt to save, someone else.
• Constable Eric Sloane – for having, on the 7th July 2006, at personal risk, gone to the rescue of a man who had fallen from West Quay, into Ramsey Harbour, whose life he courageously assisted to save.
• Constable Quentin DeBacker – for having, on the 23rd August 2006, at personal risk, gone to the rescue of a child, who had fallen from Peel Breakwater, into the Irish Sea, whose life he courageously saved.
• Mr Steffan Hoy –, for having, on the 21st July 2006, at personal risk, gone to the rescue of 13 guests trapped in a fire at the Adelphi Hotel in Douglas, whose lives he courageously assisted to save.