Honours for police who risk their lives

Now more than 30 Humberside Police officers and staff who have shown bravery and excellence have received commendations from their chief constable.

Pcs Carl Bugg and Susan Waslin responded to a firearms incident in Queens Gardens, Hull, last October when a woman armed with a large handgun was threatening to kill herself and pointing the weapon at her head and neck.

The officers approached the woman and engaged her in conversation, but were threatened and shot at with what was believed to be a BB gun.

When the woman was distracted by other officers Pc Bugg showed “tremendous courage and bravery” to run at the woman and managed to bring her to the ground while forcing the gun from her hand.

The force firearms expert has since tested the weapon and classed it as potentially lethal.

In another incident in Hornsea, Pc Hawkins was the first officer on the scene of a 999 call reporting a man in the sea in the hours of darkness.

The man, who was “in drink”, was reported to be attempting suicide by drowning and Mr Hawkins plunged into the sea with waves crashing over him as he tried to pull him. The man did not want to be rescued and began to struggle and the officer pressed an emergency button calling for urgent assistance, but it failed as a result of contact with the water. Mr Hawkins eventually completed the rescue and the man was taken to hospital.

Chief Constable Tim Hollis said: “Frequently our staff demonstrate great courage and bravery and yesterday’s ceremony celebrated some of those instances that make me immensely proud. These are testing times for the British police service, but regardless of what changes are afoot, our officers and staff will continue to do their utmost to protect the public in Humberside.”