Arresting tales of officer courage

A haul of awards went to Swindon officers, for efforts ranging from life-saving CPR to disarming a hostile gunman.

In September 2013, cool heads and quick thinking led town centre Sergeant Dave Ibbott to be commended for his role in disarming a man with a loaded shotgun who had taken his two-year-old child from nursery.

On Wednesday night, Sgt Ibbott received the Chief Constable’s Certificate of Commendation, along with the team of five he led as bronze commander in an armed response team two years ago.

The team were scrambled after a report from Thames Valley Police saying a Leicester man had taken a shotgun, picked his child up from nursery, and headed to an address in Devizes. Leading the approach, Sgt Ibbott ensured no harm came to the public, the young child, or the man himself in a volatile situation.

Inspector Roger Bull, presenting the award, said: “Officers arrived and placed an armed cordon on the address. The male came out through the rear and was challenged by the officers while holding a loaded shotgun.

“The officers maintained their composure and restraint and none of their weapons were discharged before the male placed the shotgun on the ground and was removed from the scene. This was a fast-paced, quick changing, dynamic incident. All of the officers demonstrated excellent standards and professional responsibility, effort and teamwork.”

Sgt Ibbott, speaking after the awards, said his main priority had been protecting the public, and recounted how a couple walked their dog straight through the containment area — even though the property was surrounded by firearms officers.

He said. “My main concern at that point was protecting members of the public.

“The vital moment was when he came out and was confronted by officers at the rear gate.

“He was carrying his firearm at that point, engaged with us and knew he was facing armed officers. He went back inside the gate and the next thing we saw was the gun appear over the top of the wall, and the sound of it being made ready. At that point the risk was at its highest.

“There were only two possible scenarios that could happen then, he either came out with the weapon or without it. Luckily he chose the latter.

“Teamwork is massive because it gets to the point I have done as much as I can and it is down to the professionalism of each officer. It is that particular officer’s call not to discharge their firearm.

“It was dark and circumstances changed quickly, but you still have to follow process in a split second decision. I am just one cog in the wheel of six.”

Sgt Ibbott was joined by the rest of the team, PCs Mark Giles, Philip Matthews, Martin Robson, and James Titcombe in accepting the Chief Constable’s Certificate of Commendation.

Beat manager wins poignant police prize

Perhaps the most poignant award, in memory of former PC Dan Cooper, who died three years ago in a crash, went to Walcot beat manager PC Nick Payne for his work in transforming Sussex Square.

Since taking up post five years ago, PC Payne has worked tirelessly in bringing high levels of anti-social behaviour down, and has been successful in imposing a dispersal order and securing 10 interim Asbos against some of the regular offenders.

PC Nick Payne said he is pleased with how levels of anti-social behaviour are reducing in the area after accepting the Dan Cooper memorial Award for Outstanding Public Service. 

“The whole thing does take time, and a lot of evidence is needed to get the new legislation into force,” he said. “That is an ongoing process to try to keep the peace, as it were. 

“The feedback I get is that people in the area are very happy with how things have been recently. 

“I am very proud and humbled to be chosen. They are a lovely couple, who are obviously trying to keep the memory of Dan going as long as possible.”

Dan’s father, Andrew Cooper, said PC Payne was the outstanding candidate. 

“One of the nominations in particular stood out for me,” He said: “When Dan was going through training they were asked for volunteers to take part with young offenders doing a hike across Salisbury plain. 

“These young offenders, who took every opportunity to have a go at and pick on the police officer present, could not help but like this officer doing his best to help the community; it was that work with anti-social behaviour that really hit home for me.”

Accident response award for constable

Fresh-faced constable Harriett Matthews bought precious minutes for a man who crashed through three lanes of traffic on Thamesdown Drive after suffering a medical emergency last year.

On July 14, the man had been driving a Peugeot van which went through the central reservation and across three southbound lanes. 

As the first officer on the scene, PC Matthews had to act quickly to make the area safe, and jumped in when the man suddenly stopped breathing.

Although the man later died, paramedics said PC Matthews’ actions had at least given him a fighting chance. 

She had only been in the force for a year at the time, but says she was simply doing her job.

“I was there for a different job and just came across this incident,” she said.

“I got flagged down by a member of the public saying a car had come across four lanes of traffic and crashed.

“When I arrived he was unconscious but breathing, and I made the accident safe by moving my car in between him and the traffic. 

“By the time I got back to the car he had stopped breathing. 

“We got him out and I started chest compressions. I just carried on until the ambulance arrived.

“I was just doing my job.

“I don’t think you realise at the time how important it is, and later officers were telling me there are people on the force for years who will never do anything like that.” 

PC Matthews was awarded the Chief Constable’s Certificate of Merit for her actions last summer.

Award for dedicated police force worker

FORMER banker Michelle Giles celebrated 22 years in the police force as the first point of contact for urgent 999 calls.

After joining the force in 1994 to work in the control room in Swindon, Michelle moved to the contact centre in 2008, and in March 2012 successfully applied to join the Local Crime Team in Swindon. This week she was awarded the Long Service Certificate for her unwavering dedication to her work. 

Having taken hundreds of calls during her time in control, one highlight was talking down a man threatening to jump from the top of a multi-storey car park.

“When people phone us it is the first time they talk to anyone in the police, and possibly the most distressing time of their life,” she said.

“One incident that stands out in my mind was that of a little girl who was hiding under the bed while her dad was beating up her mum. She was whispering and I could hear what was happening in the background. 

Another lady was being attacked and stabbed while she was on the phone to me, and I get blown away by the strength and bravery of people being able to do that." 

"We are the first person they speak to after they have been attacked or raped, and we have to get the right information as fast as possible. 

“Being in the Local Crime Team is brilliant; what is fascinating is finding that vital bit of evidence you needed as the missing link in an investigation.

"At the same time we treat the people who come into our cells with respect, because it is not our job to judge people, they are innocent until proven guilty.

"We do something huge by taking someone’s liberty, and change someone’s life when we decide to charge them.”