Extraordinary acts of bravery were honoured during an emotional ceremony at the ACPO Police Public Bravery Awards 2009-10 tonight in Manchester.
The ACPO Police Public Bravery Awards recognize outstanding acts of bravery by members of the public or meritorious devotion to civic duty by police or other emergency staff or members of the armed forces.
Honorary Awards Secretary Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes of South Yorkshire Police said:
“Each and every day members of the public put themselves at risk to help others in need. These awards showcase some extraordinary stories of bravery and many selfless acts of kindness and we are delighted to be honouring these very brave people.”
This year’s award recipients come from across 17 forces and include one posthumous award given to Deka Kennedy of Northumbria who was stabbed and killed coming to the aid of a woman who was being assaulted. The award was accepted by his mother.
A total of 27 awards were given out tonight - seven people received a gold award, while 19 received a silver award. Another 29 people were commended for their bravery and will be awarded at ceremonies by their local force at another time. The Binney Medal, the highest overall accolade, was awarded to Jody Miles, 27, of Southampton.
“These awards give ACPO the opportunity to formally thank and acknowledge those public-spirited people who have assisted the police in fighting crime in the community. Because of their bravery, lives have been saved and criminals have been brought to justice. We commend and thank them.”
Those force areas with award recipients (including commendations) include:
Thames Valley, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Avon and Somerset, Bedfordshire, Northumbria, West Yorkshire; Dorset, Humberside, Lancashire, the Metropolitan Police, West Mercia, Surrey, West Yorkshire, Nottingham, Staffordshire and the British Transport Police.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
• The Binney Award was instituted in 1947 in honour of Captain Ralph Binney RN who lost his life in 1944 when he made a single-handed attempt to prevent the escape of ‘smash and grab’ thieves in the City of London.
• The ACPO Press Office can be contacted via 020 7084 8946/47/48 (office hours) or via 07803 903686 (out of office hours).
• The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is an independent, professionally led strategic body. In the public interest and, in equal and active partnership with Government and the Association of Police Authorities, ACPO leads and co-ordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In times of national need ACPO, on behalf of all chief officers, coordinates the strategic policing response.
• ACPO’s 341 members are police officers of Assistant Chief Constable rank (Commanders in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police) and above, and senior police staff managers, in the 44 forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and other forces such as British Transport Police and States of Jersey Police.
