A heart-warming ceremony held on Tuesday, November 12th, at the Kent Police College recognized the extraordinary efforts of brave individuals who went above and beyond the call of duty. From life-saving interventions to acts of incredible courage, these heroes were honoured for their selfless actions.

Among the distinguished recipients were PC Philip Jones and his loyal canine partner, PD Bear. The duo swiftly responded to a distress call in Denton, where PD Bear’s keen sense of smell led them to a vulnerable man in need of urgent medical attention. Thanks to their timely intervention, the man’s life was saved. The youngest recipient, ten-year-old Michelle Arinze, displayed remarkable composure and quick thinking when she found her mother unconscious at their home in Gravesend. Without hesitation, she called emergency services and followed their instructions to provide life-saving support until paramedics arrived.

PC Tom Vinall also received well-deserved recognition for his calm and collected response to a perilous situation. When called to a derelict property in Gillingham, he encountered a vulnerable woman perched precariously on a ledge. With great care and empathy, he engaged her in conversation, building trust and eventually persuading her to safety. Several officers were honoured for their bravery in entering dangerous situations to save lives. PC William Simmons and PC Katie Lacey risked their own safety to enter a property in Folkestone, where they found an unconscious man and administered life-saving CPR. Similarly, Acting Sergeant Adam Rafter and his colleague responded to a call in Gravesend, where they provided critical medical aid to a man who had lost a significant amount of blood.

The ceremony also celebrated the power of community and the collaborative efforts of officers and civilians. Ellie Waller and Mark Wood from the Joint Response Unit worked together to provide vital first aid to a stabbing victim in Whitstable. Additionally, off-duty PC Honey Hall demonstrated exceptional composure and skill in managing a crowd and administering CPR to an unconscious man, ensuring he received the necessary care until paramedics arrived.

Chief Constable Tim Smith expressed his admiration for the recipients, stating,

“It is an honour to commend those who go above and beyond the call of duty to help others. The incredibly brave and courageous actions of our officers and the public fill me with great pride.”

“Throughout the ceremony we heard of the incredibly brave and courageous actions of our officers and the public and it fills me with great pride to present these awards in recognition of their selfless actions.”

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