Six city police officers receive commendations

Daniel Patching found the pensioner lying on the road outside The Point and began CPR while seeking medical assistance.

On-duty police officers Sergeant Andy Cummings and PC Daniel John arrived and helped until an ambulance arrived.

“The lady regained a cardiac rhythm due to the effective early actions of Special Constable Patching, followed up by Sgt Cummings and PC John,” said a police spokesman.

The trio were among six Milton Keynes officers to be presented with LPA Commander’s Commendations by High Sheriff Francesca Skelton at a ceremony on Monday.

Superintendent Gez Chiariello allocated the awards on Monday to those who have displayed exceptional courage, initiative and professionalism.

Detective Constable Matt Bly (pictured) was awarded his commendation for his management of Operation Deuce to solve a series of 22 burglaries across the south of MK between November 2012 and February 2013.

As a result of the investigation, last year four people were sentenced to a total of 16 years and eight months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to burgle in connection with the burglaries.

Also commended was PC Richard Smith who, in February 2015, was off duty when he was talking online with a friend living in The City of Laporte, Texas, USA, who he believed was attempting suicide.

PC Smith made three emergency calls to the USA to report this, providing time critical information which allowed local officers to attend the man’s address to find him having cut his own wrists and in a semi-conscious state. The man was taken for immediate medical treatment and care.

The ceremony also highlighted the work done by Chief Inspector Paul Halstead, who was presented with a separate award for his coordination of the Milton Keynes Mental Health Street Triage Service, which has helped to ensure people are able to access appropriate services at the earliest possible opportunity. The service is coordinated between Thames Valley Police and CNWL.

Superintendent Chiariello said: “The commendations ceremonies provide a great opportunity to recognise the outstanding achievements of our officers, special constables and members of police staff for the extraordinary things they do on a daily basis making our area a safer place in which to live, work and visit.

“Only around 20 per cent of what we do is related to crime; the rest is protecting people from harm and relate to issues of vulnerability.

“I am proud of those who have been commended as they have gone over and above what was expected of them, demonstrating a real commitment to public service.”