Kirklees Officers Commended For Bravery And Protecting Those At Risk

Wednesday August 3, 2022

Police who went the extra mile to save lives, chase down dangerous armed offenders and safeguard those most at risk have been honoured in Kirklees.

A video by Kirklees Local TV is now online featuring footage from the 2022 summer Kirklees District Awards which celebrated the achievements of police officers and staff who went above and beyond to keep the public safe.  It can be viewed here https://youtu.be/vZmxf9Pp5_Q

Among those commemorated were then PCSO Liam Greig who put his own safety at risk when acting to confront a man who was potentially armed, despite not having protective kit himself.  

Liam (now a PC) had attended a knife point robbery in 2020 and on sighting one of the suspects, made after him single handed, despite not carrying a police officer’s defensive standard equipment as a PCSO.

Liam maintained his pursuit warning residents to keep back and was able to guid colleagues to his location, resulting in the arrest of the males.

Also commended were PC Nicola Makin,  PC Daniel Rush along with a member of the public and colleagues from the ambulance service, for their bravery in a 2019 river rescue.

The incident saw all parties take part in the rescue of a woman in the fast-flowing River Calder in Dewsbury.  During the incident PC Rush and one of the paramedics disregarded their own safety to enter the water and go to the victim’s assistance.

She was rescued with the assistance of a resident on a nearby boat who approached them, threw the officer and paramedic a rope, and used it to assist them in getting her out of the water.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment, and it is thought she could well have died without emergency service intervention.

Meanwhile, another award was given to  PC who led an investigation into a Class A drugs ring operating in the Marsh area of Huddersfield.

His detailed investigation, which was supported by colleagues from the Kirklees Programme Precision Team, saw six men jailed for more than 37 years.

Chief Superintendent James Griffiths of Kirklees Police, said: “The District Awards provide us with an opportunity to recognise those who continue to go above and beyond to keep people safe, and I’ve been very pleased to see some exceptional work from our officers and staff.

“The primary purpose of policing is to preserve life, and these awards have demonstrated numerous examples of officers displaying real bravery and putting themselves in harm’s way to safeguard the public.

“Indeed, that selflessness has also been reflected by colleagues from other blue light services and residents who have put the welfare of others before themselves.

“We have also seen examples of staff whose diligence and persistence in investigating serious offending has resulted in organised crime groups being broken up and put behind bars, and who have gone out of their way to provide compassion and support to victims.

“It is really heartening for me to see our officers and staff continue to display the qualities we all expect and far more to protect those who need our help.”

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