A POLICE officer from Holsworthy, who was first on the scene following the Exeter terrorist incident last year, was recently honoured for his bravery and commitment.

Constable Adam Good­man, a former Hols­wor­thy Community College student, last week received the Chief Con­stable's Comm­en­­dation, one of the highest honours the force bestows.

Over 90 officers and 11 police staff were nominated to receive commendations for their actions from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.

An award ceremony was led by Chief Constable Stephen Otter in Devon last week, almost a year on from the failed terrorist bombing in Exeter.

On May 22, 2008, a full-scale police operation was launched after a home-made explosive was detonated in the Giraffe restaurant in Princesshay.

Mohamad Abdulaziz Rashid Saeed-Alim (also known as Nicky Reilly) travelled to Exeter from his home in Plymouth with a rucksack containing an explosive device which partially denoted in the restaurant toilet.

Along with his colleague Constable Oliver Henton, PC Good­man, who has been in the police force for five and a half years, based at Exeter, was the first on the scene.

He explained: "We attended the restaurant, myself and my colleague, after a report that a man had been glassed. There was a guy in the corner with blood dripping over his face and we still assumed he had been glassed because his injuries were consistent with that.

"However, the manageress said a bomb had gone off. We went and had a look in the toilet and something had exploded."

Faced with the fact that there was also an unexploded bomb on the premises, PC Goodman and his colleague evacuated the restaurant.

At the time, the city centre was extremely busy with shoppers and workers as it was lunchtime on a weekday. Constables Goodman and Henton were praised for their "great professionalism and teamwork as they assumed command and control of the incident."

Although trained to deal with major incidents, PC Goodman said: "I certainly didn't think a terrorist attack would happen in Exeter or on my shift."

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Constabu­lary said they "displayed great bravery in their swift and professional arrest of the man responsible and in the positive reassurance they demonstrated to the many members of the public in and around the scene."

The spokesman added: "Constable Henton and Constable Goodman remained with the male as he was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to be treated for his injuries. While he was being escorted to hospital, the man became increasingly agitated and the officers displayed excellent communication skills as they talked to him to calm him down, gaining his trust in extremely challenging circumstances.

"They worked swiftly to preserve vital evidence on the man and kept guard at the hospital for an extended period of time, recording all significant comments made by the man. Both officers dealt with this critical task in a calm and wholly professional manner."

The investigation culminated with the charging of the man with offences of attempted murder and preparing for acts of terrorism for which he has since been sentenced to life in prison.

Last Wednesday, in front of special guests including the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Sir John Cave, the High Sheriff of Devon, Mr David Fursdon, and the Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Paul Smith, Constable Goo­dman was awarded the Chief Constable's Commenda­tion "for professionalism in a highly demanding and difficult situation."

PC Goodman said: "It's a great honour to have your work recognised. It's one of the top honours you can be presented with so it's always an honour."