POLICE in the Post area have been recognised for their bravery, investigative skills and hard work at police awards ceremony on July 18.

Those who received awards included officers who were threatened by a chainsaw-wielding man in Camelford, officers who stopped people taking their own lives and investigators who brought to justice sex offenders and fraudsters.

An incident in Camelford where a man threatened his father and police with numerous weapons led to a group of officers getting awards. After threatening his father, the man went into the street with a running chainsaw and shouted that he wanted to harm a police officer.

PCSO Chris Krolik, who was walking home from duty, came across the man by chance. He tried to engage with him but the situation quickly deteriorated with the man threatening the officer’s life.

PCSO Krolik phoned 999 and observed the man from his house. PC Moore and Karl Wood immediately went to the incident realising that the firearms units were some distance away and the serious danger to the public.

As PC Wood drove closer PC Moore instructed all officers and the control room to maintain radio silence. They found the man in the road screaming and moving towards them with a knife in his left hand and an axe in his right hand.

Unable to reverse, due to traffic behind, PC Moore got out of the vehicle and drew his taser using the van door as a shield but the man charged towards him getting within six feet and raising the axe above PC Moore’s head.

PC Moore discharged his taser and both officers, at considerable risk to themselves, confronted, disarmed and arrested the man. As a result of their actions, they courageously protected the community with selfless disregard for their own safety.

For their outstanding determination and bravery PCs Moore and Wood were awarded a Chief Superintendent’s Commendation, and PCSO Krolik was awarded a Superintendent’s Certificate. In addition to this PCs Moore and Wood received the Holman Tray awarded to a constable who has demonstrated extreme bravery.

Elsewhere, PC Derek Hignett from Launceston received a Superintendent’s Certificate for stopping a suicidal man from jumping to his death. Officers were called to a man standing on top of Holsworthy viaduct.

PC Hignett, a trained negotiator, was able to talk the young man down, allowing colleagues to pull him to safety.

Officers were able to offer the man reassurance, taking their time to walk him to the awaiting ambulance, where he voluntarily agreed to attend hospital to obtain medical assistance.

The conduct of the officers was observed by other professionals and members of the public who wrote in praising them for their actions.

Temporary PS Dave Flynn and DC Dave Simpson also prevented a man from jumping off a bridge. The incident happened on the westbound carriageway of the A30 at Launceston and threatened to end the man’s life and that of motorists passing below. They received Superintendent’s Certificates.

The incident happened when DC Simpson heard the call on the police radio. He was aware PS Flynn was attending on his own and made his way to the location.

The officers found a distressed man held by a member of the public. It was a dark, foggy, cold night with frosty conditions making it very slippery putting the man at significant risk of falling on to passing motorists. The officers tried to talk with the man but he became abusive and tried to jump off the bridge.

They managed to get hold of him but he became aggressive and tried to headbutt DC Simpson. Despite this the pair managed to pull the man back over the barrier but he continued to struggle violently with them.

They were not aware that he had taken drugs, which contributed to his increased aggression and strength. During the struggle the man bit and clamped his teeth onto PS Flynn’s arm but the officers managed to handcuff him and prevent him from jumping and causing serious injury, or even death, to the motorists passing below.

Operation Birch was a joint CID and Neighbourhood investigation into child sexual exploitation. The main offender received five years imprisonment and the success of the operation has led to a group of officers getting Chief Superintendent’s Commendations.

Sector Inspector from Launceston, Lynden Hughes and Sgt Aaron Ward jointly led the investigation whose victims were girls aged 13 to 15. Five arrests were made resulting in three charges with a trial at Truro Crown Court. The enquiry identified and investigated numerous offences and the team secured a Sexual Offences Protection Order to close an address, the first in the Force area.

The collaboration with partners in Social Care, Housing and Cornwall Anti-Social Behaviour team all contributed in a seamless and highly professional investigation.

The success of this operation was due to strong leadership and the collective work of the team. Sarah Dundon, Cornwall Council ASB co-ordinator, worked tirelessly to create the address closure file which relied heavily on her meticulous eye for detail and gathering the evidence needed from residents living close to the address, whose quality of life had been dramatically affected.

DC Dave Simpson built an intelligence portfolio around the operation whilst PC Steve South was committed to the investigation from start to finish working long hours without warning.

While off duty and accompanied by PCSO Gary Langan, PC South reacted to information and a crucial knock on the door of the main offender saved one of the victims and started the criminal prosecution of this offender.

PC Steve Stoppard held the safeguarding responsibility for the vulnerable victims, which later led to further disclosures. DS Stewart Gilbert, DC Andy Petherick and DC Grant Mills took ownership of the criminal offences identified and subsequent court hearings. Chris Rendell from Legal Services is to be recognised for his assistance and drive with the CSE closure order.

PC Steve Stoppard from Launceston has been awarded the Ian Warne Memorial Trophy for his commitment to safeguarding young people. The trophy is presented to an officer who has displayed the qualities to be an ambassador for the Police Service.

Steve Stoppard has delivered online safety sessions to 1,100 individuals who attend primary and secondary schools and to their parents at the same time as carrying out his day-to-day role as Launceston’s Neighbourhood Beat Manager.

He has forged excellent links with school safeguarding staff and, due to his progressive approach, identified an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of young people building trusting relationships with some hard-to-reach groups.

A number of young people who would not normally trust the police have come forward to give information either that they have been a victim or have witnessed behaviours, which pose risks to themselves and their peers.

Now there is a real openness in the schools to discuss inappropriate on-line behaviour and the risks and PC Stoppard has proactively disrupted the perpetrators of exploitative behaviours.