Police Bravery Awards 2022 – overall winner
Lincolnshire Police’s PC Steven Denniss was walking his dogs when he saw a man standing next to a bench in a hooded top staring at a member of the public.
PC Denniss immediately realised this man was wanted for the murder of a young woman and her son the evening before. Both had sadly succumbed to their injuries after receiving multiple stab wounds at their home.
The off-duty officer let go of his dogs’ leads and approached the individual, who responded by attacking him. The suspect then ran and PC Denniss chased him, calling an on-duty colleague for back-up at the same time.
The individual turned back on PC Denniss as he was making ground, pulled out a knife and demanded his phone. As the two men were facing off, the suspect stabbed PC Denniss in the leg.
Despite his injury, PC Denniss continued to chase the individual as he ran again before other officers arrived and were guided towards their colleague’s location. He then assisted in clearing the public from the area for their safety whilst the suspect was arrested.
After receiving the award, PC Denniss said: “It is an amazing feeling now it has sunk in. We cannot forget all those people in the room tonight. People who have done some truly brave and outstanding things.”
PC Steven Denniss’s story – YouTube
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “I am delighted to be able to celebrate with you, once again, the incredible courage of a remarkable group of police officers.
“Your work involves an extraordinary degree of sacrifice that should never be taken for granted. These awards play an important part in ensuring your deeds are recognised.
“I would like to thank the organisers of the 2022 awards, the Police Federation, and Police Mutual for their continued support for the event.”
PFEW National Chair Steve Hartshorn said: “Tonight, we heard extraordinary stories of bravery, selflessness & acts of courage that are not just part of the job.
“The bravery shown by these nominees is truly outstanding. From putting their own lives at risk to save others, facing violent attackers and terrifying weapons, to rescuing people from perilous situations in fast flowing water or stranded hundreds of feet in the air, they have faced danger head on.”
Kerry McMahon White, Head of Partnerships, Police Mutual, said: “I have been truly humbled reading the nominations for tonight’s awards and I am hugely proud to share each and every one of these stories with you. My congratulations go to all nominees – we thank you for your heroism.
“Tonight’s nominees are a credit to their family and friends, their communities, and the Police Service. We are always humbled by your outstanding demonstrations of courage.
“We wholeheartedly appreciate what you and your colleagues do and have immense gratitude for helping to keep us safe.
“On behalf of Police Mutual and everyone here tonight I thank you for your service.”
The regional winners of the Police Bravery Awards 2022 were:
Region 1 winner – Greater Manchester: PC Jack Ginger said: “There are a lot of people who have won awards and have been nominated. People who have done incredible jobs and who deserve to be recognised for it. As always, in policing it’s a massive team effort.”
PC Jessica Hamblett said: “I would do the same tomorrow. We all would.”
and PC Richard Hayes said: “Super proud to have been nominated. Again, we just do what police officers do every day. We are privileged for it to be recognised. We do it because it’s a passion.”
Region 2 winner – West Yorkshire: PS Mike Watkins said: “To be nominated and to represent West Yorkshire is fantastic because it’s a very busy force and everyone works hard, it’s incredible.
PC Tom Swift said: “When we got the phone call from the Federation, we rang each other because we thought we had been pranked. Even if we hadn’t won, it’s just a special occasion, isn’t it? Overwhelming. We are over the moon.”
Region 3 winner – West Midlands: DC Mark Bates said: “It feels absolutely amazing. To be honest with you, at the end of the day, all I did was tackle him and arrest him. It feels amazing and thankful to be acknowledged.”
Region 4 winner – Lincolnshire: PC Steven Denniss said: “Never been on stage before, never been in an environment like that. I would like to thank everybody and I am having a great night.”
Region 5 winner – Sussex: A/PS James Arrol-Baker and PC Ryan Oakely
Region 6 winner – Avon and Somerset: Officers do not wish to be named
Region 7 winner – South Wales: PC Nathan Davies said: “It feels brilliant. It’s nice to be acknowledged. You feel you don’t deserve it because you see officers doing everything in their service.”
Region 8 winner – Metropolitan: PC Aksit Ekrem said: “Being nominated is a privilege. I do not think I have done anything heroic.”
Inspiration in Policing Award:
This year’s Inspiration in Policing Award was presented by National Chair Steve Hartshorn to PC Sean Burridge of Surrey Police at the National Police Bravery Awards ceremony.
In 2015 Sean was involved in an on-duty road collision at over 108 mph. Fortunately, no one was killed but Sean was diagnosed with PTSD.
In March 2020, he took on the mental health portfolio to help signpost mental health and wellbeing services to his colleagues.
Working shifts throughout, Sean’s force now has a wellbeing presence late in the evening and over the weekends; something they never had before.
Sean also set up the highly acclaimed ‘Smash the Stigma’ webinar series and has presented sessions across Surrey and Sussex.
More recently, Sean has been working on a new support initiative, Suicide First Aiders, for Surrey and Sussex, as well as finding time to drive the Oscar Kilo Wellbeing Van across the county to help his colleagues.
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