Police officers praised for sensitive support to man in 'crisis'

PCs Bradley and Ingham, from South Yorkshire Police, attended the home of a man who had left hospital earlier this month, after officers became "concerned for his welfare".

The man, who does not wish to be named, said the officers treated him with respect and care - and stayed with him at his home in Barnsley until he could get appropriate help.

"The officers were completely upfront with me about why they were there," he said.

"[They] listened to me about what had happened without judgement and treated me with respect and care at all times.

“They tried getting me the correct help while they were with me and were open to me talking to them about anything if I needed to.”

After the officers left, the man harmed himself but later phoned the two police officers back.

He added: "I rang them as these two friendly, genuinely caring officers had built up a rapport with myself so they responded back and did not judge me.

“They came round and stayed with me until I got the correct help, which I am still receiving thanks to them pushing for me to get help sooner.

“I’d like to thank the two officers for listening, not judging and for what I feel is going out of their way to get me the help I need and the help that I am still receiving.”

Chief Superintendent Scott Green, Barnsley’s District Commander, said: “I am so pleased that this man accepted our help and is continuing to receive help today and I’d like to wish him well.

“Officers are taught many things but something you can’t teach is compassion and empathy, traits I’m proud to say our officers have and it’s cases like this that show just how important these qualities are when someone is in crisis.

“PC Bradley and PC Ingham clearly stayed calm and were committed to ensuring this man got help, something all of our officers will have in the forefront of their minds when dealing with someone in crisis.

“I’d like to thank the man for getting in touch with us and wish him well and the officers for the positive impact they had on someone who needed our help and support.”