Officers, staff and members of the public recognised at Dorset Police awards event
Dorset Police has recognised its officers and staff for their long service and outstanding commitment to the public at its latest awards ceremony.
The event, held at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth on Tuesday 22 November 2022, acknowledged their incredible contribution to policing over many years and celebrated their conduct and commitment to public service.
Two members of the public, Charles and Saffron Willis-Owen, along with Dorset Police Community Support Officer Pete Raymond were presented with a Royal Humane Society Award for their efforts in saving a fellow Dorset Police employee after he suffered a medical episode in Poole on Thursday 7 May 2020.
PCSO Raymond immediately carried out lifesaving first aid, before he was joined by Charles, an off-duty hospital consultant, and his wife Saffron. The trio, supported by an off-duty nurse and former police officer, called for help and continued to carry out CPR until the emergency services arrived. The casualty was taken to hospital for treatment and returned to work a year after the initial incident.
His survival is due in large measure to the professionalism, quick thinking, training and perseverance of PCSO Raymond, Charles and Saffron who, along with the off-duty community nurse, former police officer and two attending police officers, assisted paramedics in keeping him alive until the arrival of the air ambulance. The two officers, the community nurse and the former police officer were also awarded by the Royal Humane Society and have either already received their awards or will be awarded them at a later date.
A Chief Constable’s Commendation was awarded to Detective Inspector Stef Belton for the development and delivery of forcewide Rape and Serious Sexual Offences training that places the voice of the victim at the heart of our response and investigations.
Other commendations were given to a range of officers and staff, including to former Detective Inspector Dawn Barrett and Yvonne Surman, who successfully delivered a project that opened up communication between the police service, schools and social services to highlight those children exposed to domestic abuse so the right support and safeguarding could be provided.
A number of Long Service and Good Conduct Medals were presented, including to Darren Thomas who has worked for the Force’s ICT department since 1999 and has been instrumental in introducing new technology as it has changed throughout the years; to Chief Superintendent Gavin Dudfield for his work in child abuse investigations, volume crime, CID, major crime, intelligence, performance, public protection, and the Force’s contact and transformation programme; and to his wife Superintendent Lindsay Dudfield who has worked in a variety of roles, including prevention, the Force Command Centre, public protection and intelligence.
The firearms officers who were first at the scene of the murder of Sir Richard Sutton near Gillingham on the evening of Wednesday 7 April 2021 also received a Chief Constable’s Commendation for the selfless actions they displayed in entering the location, going to the aid of his partner who was critically injured and carrying out lifesaving treatment at the scene.
Chief Constable’s Commendation and Crown Court Commendations were also handed to the investigation teams and wider teams behind a child destruction, GBH and ABH case, and the murder of Sir Richard Sutton.
Chief Constable Scott Chilton said: “I am incredibly proud of the dedication and professionalism of our officers and staff, who day in day out risk their own safety to relentlessly pursue criminals and keep the public safe.
“The commitment demonstrated throughout the careers of all those acknowledged is outstanding and ceremonies such as this are an excellent way for us to thank them for their dedication and helping to make Dorset a safe county for everyone.
“I was delighted to share this moment with those honoured at the awards ceremony and their family and friends.”
The High Sheriff of Dorset Sibyl King also attended the event to present some of the awards.
Dorset Police is recruiting for police officers now. If you would like help your community and have a career where no two days are the same, come and join us. You can find out more here: https://recruitment-dcp-dp.org/dorset-your-police-career/police-officers/. We also have a range of police staff roles available: https://recruitment-dcp-dp.org/dorset-policestaff/.
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