Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, has chosen two nominations to receive his Bravery Award and commends a third at the Chief Constable Awards.

PC Glenn Myerscough and PC Michael Bolton received the first Bravery Award for their valiant rescue of a vulnerable, missing woman from a Lake near Askam in Furness on 17 March 2023. During a large-scale search operation, the PCs came across the women floating motionless in Black Ponds 20 feet from shore. The two officers entered the water, risking their own safety, and were able to pull the unconscious woman from the water. They provided first aid until the woman was able to be transported to Furness General Hospital where she was admitted for hypothermia. The courage of these two officers, saved the female’s life.

The second Bravery Award was presented to PC Ruth Coates and PC Michael Doyle following their response to a dangerous situation in Alston. The PCs were called to a hotel in Alston where a male was causing damage and acting erratically. The decision was taken to arrest the individual, but he resisted and fought back against the officers in a stairwell of the hotel. During the altercation, the male bit PC Coates on the arm refusing to let go for over a minute, PC Doyle attempted to get the perpetrator off PC Coates, resulting in the male biting down on PC Doyle’s finger, refusing to let go. The male was tasered three times but with little effect and tried to gain control of the taser. Four members of the hotel staff intervened to help get the male’s teeth off the Officer and helped restrain the man until further patrols arrived. Due to the rural location, the PCs had to restrain and control the male for 21 minutes before these patrols arrived. Throughout the struggle, both Officer remained composed and professional and commended the four members of public for their assistance.

The PFCC also wished to officially commend PC Zach Hudson, PC Jack Massey and PC Lloyd Smith for their professionalism in attendance to a domestic abuse incident on 1 September 2022. On arrival, PC Hudson and PC Massey were informed that the male was potentially suicidal and had entered the garden with a rope. The Officers searched the garden to find the male hanging by the neck from a tree, where they held him aloft to reduce the pressure of the noose and cut the man down. PC Hudson began CPR whilst PC Massey kept the control room up-to-date, PC Smith soon arrived and joined the efforts to save the male, all done with little-to-no light in the garden. The man was taken by ambulance to hospital and, after spending time in the ICU and wards, was discharged with no lifelong impact on his health. Without the Officers dedication, the man could have died or suffered from severe brain damage.

Speaking on the awards, PFCC Peter McCall, said: “Every day our officers and staff go above and beyond to keep the public safe and placing themselves in harm’s way to do so.

“When I received these nominations, the outstanding dedication and professionalism of the Officers shone through, and I wanted to provide all three with some form of recognition.

“The work of these PCs exemplifies the values that we look for in our Police Officers here in Cumbria.

“Their selflessness and courage to save lives and keep the public safe must be commended.

“The job of a Police Officer is a rewarding one. However, it can be extremely difficult difficult physically, emotionally, and mentally.

“I would like to congratulate all the Officers that were nominated and are receiving my Bravery Award at this year’s Chief Constable Awards.

“They are genuinely deserved, and they should all be proud of their achievements.”