PFEW’s Police Bravery Award Winners

Messages of support

In a message of support to the nominees, Prime Minister, Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP said: “As frontline workers in the truest sense, you have been vital in helping us battle Covid-19. I salute each and every one of you for the role you have played. My admiration for you and your fellow officers and staff, already high, has only increased due to the role you have performed over the last 18 months, and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all of the nominees for these Police Bravery Awards for your exceptional achievements.”

PFEW National Chair John Apter said: “We have the finest police officers in the world – dedicated public servants who, without hesitation, put themselves in danger to protect others. They are humble, professional and committed individuals who I am proud to call my colleagues. Police officers are everyday heroes who are anything but ordinary. My congratulations go to PC Stuart Outten and all the Police Bravery Awards nominees. They deserve every bit of recognition they receive.”

Quotes from the winners

•             Region 1 – North West: Joanna Wilber and Jack Wilber, Greater Manchester Police

“Winning a national bravery award just feels surreal. It’s not the reason why we do the job, or get involved with what we did, and we really appreciate it. It means a lot and we want to make our family proud.”

•             Region 2 – North East: PS Simon Hogg and Retired PC Paul Cowling, and PC Paul Jackson, Durham

“We cannot believe we have won a national bravery award after seeing all the other incredible stories before us. We came out unscathed whereas some of the other nominees tonight didn’t.

“We feel incredibly privileged and grateful to get the recognition and, while it is nice, there are other cops going above and beyond every single day.”

•             Region 3 – Midlands: PS Amos Durose and PC Kristian Avons, Staffordshire

“We feel shocked and overwhelmed to win a national bravery award and we weren’t expecting it at all. It is important to remember this is something we do day in and day out. Officers are performing acts of bravery every single day.”

•             Region 4 – East: PC Geoff Marshall, Derbyshire

“To win a national police bravery award is absolutely fabulous and very humbling. There are so many incredible stories from lots of officers all trying to do the right thing. It’s just fantastic and I never expected it or even thought of it.”

•             Region 5 – South East: Unnamed due to role

“I have listened to all of the amazing stories of bravery here and everyone is phenomenal.

I never expected to win a national bravery award and I was just doing my job, so I feel incredibly humbled. Being able to share this moment with my wife and kids has been incredible.”

•             Region 6 – South West: PC Roz Fricker, Dorset

“I am absolutely gobsmacked to have won an award and I can’t believe it. I am honoured just to be here and that is good enough for me, but to actually win an award – I can’t put it into words.”

•             Region 7 – PC Richard Shea, PC Matthew Reynolds, North Wales

“At the time we were both full time firearms officers just doing our jobs. We are profoundly shocked to receive this award above the other brave officers and it’s been a real honour rubbing shoulders with all of them.”

•             Region 8 – PC Stuart Outten, Metropolitan Police (regional and overall winner)

“It’s a real honour to win the overall award and it’s nice to be recognised on this day. My job is to stand my ground and to arrest suspects – and for this to be deemed worthy of an award is an absolute privilege.

“All my colleagues, winners and runners up, have gone beyond their duty but that is what we do, and we are here to celebrate it. If I could share this award and chip it out to everyone, I would.”