Police officers praised for outstanding work

Forty-four officers were presented with commendations for their efforts at an awards ceremony at Chigwell Police Sports Club.

The annual ceremony recognises qualities such as tenacity, professionalism, dedication, courage and leadership in the line of duty.

Waltham Forest Borough Commander, Chief Supt Mark Benbow, said: "The commendation ceremony was an enjoyable day for all concerned, during which we heard numerous accounts of the bravery, dedication and professionalism of our staff.

"It is sometimes easy to become complacent, but some of the incidents we heard about during the ceremony serve to remind us all of the very real challenges our officers face in delivering a service to Waltham Forest borough. "

* A SEX offender who lied about where he was living was convicted of breaching the terms of his licence.

Sgt Helen Brown, DC Jon Greengrass, Julie Richardson and PCs Fiona Murat, Julie Renton and Mandy Millington identified a registered sex offender in the borough.

They managed to prove he was not living where he was supposed to be and arranged to have him arrested.

* THREE officers confronted four violent people and successfully arrested them.

PC Jeff Merrick was off-duty when he called New Scotland Yard to report a speeding car driving erratically by the Green Man roundabout in Leytonstone.

Two other officers, PC Jean Pearce and PC Robert Waring, joined him and the police pursued the car.

The car eventually pulled over and four people confronted the officers. One was injured, but they were able to arrest them.

* TWO officers who tried in vain to save a knife attack victim's life were awarded a commendation.

PCs Jason Pearce and Ian Bargus found a young man in a front garden. They performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation until an ambulance arrived.

A doctor performed open-heart surgery in the ambulance but the victim sadly died.

* FOUR police officers helped secure justice for a domestic violence victim.

PC Jessica Harvey, Trainee DC Tracy Smith, DC Dean Kenway and DC David Roch established a rapport with the woman, which enabled a successful prosecution. The victim's partner was jailed for eight years.

* EAGLE-EYED PC Louise Matthews and DC Anna Pej spotted a stolen car in Forest Road, Walthamstow on June 26 last year and gave chase.

The pair had heard about an armed robbery in which a car was stolen from somebody at knifepoint in Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow They were driving back to Leyton police station when they saw the car.

They followed the car and saw one of the passengers point an imitation firearm at a group of schoolchildren.

The car stopped and the officers chased the thieves on foot when they got out. Four people were later arrested.

* A DRUG DEALER was caught thanks to the work of PC VIctoria Golden and DC Karen McGarry.

A green car was seen racing another car on the North Circular Road in Chingford on February 6 last year.

The vehicle was found parked up, and a suspect was later found hiding under a skip. He had cash and cannabis in his pockets.

Officers searched his home and found a gun, heroin and cocaine. He was jailed for four years for drugs, firearms and driving offences.

* TWO cannabis factories were shut down in Waltham Forest.

The operation was led by PC Mary Bristow, who gathered significant intelligence that resulted in the closure of the factories, the seizure of 400 plants and the arrest of two people.

PC Bristow received a second commendation for her work in planning a policing operation to reduce crime and disorder in the Higham Hill ward.

* DS YEOMAN and PC Robbins were commended for their work in catching a prolific burglar.

The pair found the suspect, who was charged with multiple offences and remanded in custody.

* A MACHETE-WIELDING man was persuaded to hand over his weapon in September 2005.

A siege scenario had developed, but PC Kenneth Robson intervened and persuaded the man to hand his weapon over.

* TRAINEE Det Con Melanie Chinn was commended for her sensitive handling of a reopened child rape case in November 2005.

The investigation into the rape and false imprisonment of two ten year-old girls in Leytonstone, in 1991, was reopened.

TDC Chinn developed a rapport with the victims and families and explained the steps that would need to be taken to ensure a successful prosecution.

On March 16 last year Lawrence Barwick pleaded guilty to rape, false imprisonment and indecency towards a child under 16.

Barwick was jailed for 16 years.

* One police officer is celebrating after winning three awards for his police work, which included saving a man's life.

Acting Det Insp Bernie Webb was driving to a meeting, when a man driving another car suffered a heart attack at the junction of Forest Road and Woodford New Road.

DI Webb went to the man immediately, providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and helping to sustain the man's heart rhythm.The man was taken to hospital and was discharged five days later.

DI Webb, along with his colleague Sgt Del Watson, won another award for obtaining an ASBO against and a prosecution of a domestic violence offender.

He received a third award for his work in a kidnap inquiry.

*The detective ability of two officers led to the imprisonment of a man who repeatedly stabbed his partner at Walthamstow Marshes.

The young Polish victim had her throat slashed twice and was repeatedly stabbed in the back during the attack on June 21 last year.

DC Dean Coyle and TDC Mark Sassoon led the investigation team and their efforts helped secure the successful prosecution of Waldemar Lawryniuk, who was jailed for 12 years for attempted murder.

DI Webb went to the man immediately, providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and helping to sustain the man's heart rhythm.The man was taken to hospital and was discharged five days later.

DI Webb, along with his colleague Sgt Del Watson, won another award for obtaining an ASBO against and a prosecution of a domestic violence offender.

He received a third award for his work in a kidnap inquiry.

* Ten officers were praised for their work in handling the Richie Holmes murder scene and investigation.

Mr Holmes, 21, was shot and killed in Greenham Crescent, Chingford, on November 4, 2005.

Insp Jane Connors, Sgt Jeffrey Wooding, Sgt Robert Webb, PC Neil Emsley, PCs Adam Holbrook, Robert Hutson, Sharon Clarke and Carrie Church were all awarded commendations fo their work in dealing with the murder scene.

PC Bernard Logue was commended for his professionalism and compassion in dealing with the murder victim's family in tragic circumstances.