Police officers and members of the public who demonstrated exceptional bravery and quick-thinking were celebrated at the Chief Constable’s awards ceremony held at Kent Police College on Tuesday 29 April 2025.

Chief Constable Tim Smith and the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, the Lady Colgrain, presented awards to individuals who went above and beyond in their efforts to protect the community.

Among the recipients are:

  • PC Grant Strong and Alison Martin-Smith were recognised for their life-saving first aid given to a man who suffered a cardiac arrest on a bus in Gillingham.
  • Sergeant Robert Barrett and five other officers were commended for saving a man with self-inflicted injuries in Maidstone.
  • Off-duty Sergeant Martin Sharp received an award for performing CPR and using a defibrillator to save a tennis player who collapsed in Gillingham.
  • PC Harriet Lewis was acknowledged for her compassionate support as a family liaison officer for the parents of a missing child from Medway.
  • Shannon O’Donnell was honoured for administering CPR to her uncle in Chatham, with assistance from Special Constable Laura Meeks.

The ceremony highlighted the remarkable actions of both police personnel and the public in safeguarding lives across Kent.

Chief Constable Tim Smith said:

‘Every day Kent Police officers perform acts of heroism and bravery to keep people safe and I could not be more proud.

‘They can always be relied upon to help people in their time of need and there are many families across the county whose loved ones would not be with us today were it not for their lifesaving actions.

‘I would like to congratulate those who have received awards for their outstanding work and who are a credit to the Kent Police badge, as well as those members of public who are also fully deserving of the recognition they have received.’

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