Police officers who went the extra mile to save lives, chase down dangerous armed offenders and safeguard people at risk have been honoured in Kirklees.
Among those to receive awards at the Kirklees Police District Awards ceremony at Huddersfield Town Hall were then PCSO Liam Greig (pictured above) 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 knifepoint robbery in 2020 and on spotting one of the suspects, made after him singlehandedly, 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 guide colleagues to his location, resulting in an arrest.
Also commended were PC Nicola Makin and 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 a 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 Supt Jim Griffiths, head 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.”
A video of the awards evening was produced by Kirklees Local TV and can be viewed via the link above.
