Heroic police officers and brave members of the public have been honoured for their incredible efforts.
The Wiltshire Police Force Awards celebrated the actions of those who helped people in crisis during emergencies, helped catch members of a major organised crime group, and dedicated many years to serving their communities.
SWIMMING INTO A FREEZING RIVER
Chief Constable Catherine Roper awarded a commendation to PC Adam Neish and gave an award for outstanding teamwork to PC Laura Hughes, PC Liam Rodriguez-Wilkins, PCSO Laura Maplesden and PC Luke Rogers for saving a woman from the flooded River Avon.
PC Neish sprinted to the swollen river on November 25, 2022, and – when he found her trying to submerge herself below the surface – removed his protective vest and swam into the freezing current, then secured the woman while his team pulled them both to safety using a throw rope.
PC Hughes, PC Rodriguez-Wilkins, PCSO Maplesden and PC Rogers anchored the rescue rope, facilitated urgent communications, and provided essential backup.
After ensuring the woman's safety and changing his clothes, PC Neish returned to the station and completed his tour of duty.
The woman's friend had also entered the water while trying to rescue her and was herself clinging precariously to an overhanging branch. PC Hughes and PC Rogers anchored themselves and pulled the friend to safety before she was swept away.
CRACKING DOWN ON £1.1M CRIME GANG
The Chippenham Neighbourhood Policing Team – which includes Chief Inspector James Brain, Police Sergeant Richard Marshall, Police Constable Kevin Golledge, Police Sergeant Evangeline Templar, and Police Constable Alastair Jarvis – received an Outstanding Teamwork Award for disrupting and dismantling a gang that supplied cocaine around the county.
Taking responsibility for investigating the Illinois OCG’s narcotic distribution operations, cannabis production, and money laundering activities, the team embarked on an intensive year-long covert operation.
After carefully investigating the criminals, they secured authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service to charge key members with conspiracy to supply 27.5 kilograms of cocaine valued at £1.1 million over two and a half years.
Some defendants entered guilty pleas while others denied charges. The team’s efforts ultimately led to two 3.5-year sentences and a sentence of 10 years for the main conspirator, and the Proceeds of Crime Act secured more than £300,000 in ill-gotten gains.
Their strategies have been highlighted to other forces as a model for disrupting organised crime.
GOOD SAMARITANS ABOVE THE M4
The Chief Constable’s Certificate of Recognition for Members of the Public went to Craig Betterton, Ethel Changa, Andy Woods, and Charlie Cole for helping a distressed man considering self-harm on the Junction 15 M4 roundabout.
At around 3pm on January 23, 2024, Wiltshire Police received calls about the man standing on the wrong side of the safety barrier on a ledge overlooking the M4 carriageway.
A group of strangers worked together and spoke to the man to build up a rapport with him while waiting for police to arrive. When PC Nathan Strong turned up, the man tried to jump but the good Samaritans and the officer grabbed him and pulled him back over the barrier to safety.
Once secured, the group remained with the male, providing ongoing support and comfort until additional resources arrived.
STOPPING UPSET SHOP WORKER'S ARSON ATTEMPT
Another certificate of recognition went to Timothy Ryan and Ashley May after a disgruntled member of the Blue Cross charity shop in Trowbridge who received an unfavourable staff appraisal started setting fire to the place.
The pair smashed the front window and opened the door then removed the employee from the building – despite her resistance – and removed burning items from the shop to prevent the flames spreading.
They put out the fire before emergency services arrived and prevented what police say could have been a “catastrophic incident”.
QUICK THINKING AFTER MAN'S COLLAPSE
The Chief Constable awarded a certificate of excellence to PCSO Liam Owen, PCSO Stacey Cunningham and PCSO Linda Staples for saving the life of a man who collapsed in Chippenham’s town centre.
At around 3.30pm on November 15, 2022, PCSO Cunningham alerted her colleagues after seeing the man fall and hit his head on the ground.
Former PCSO Owen calmly and quickly identified that the pedestrian was not breathing and started CPR while PCSO Staples located a nearby defibrillator then kept bystanders at bay so that paramedics could attend to the injured man.
After three rounds of PCSO Cunningham’s CPR, he began breathing independently.
The paramedics and the man's wife expressed profound gratitude to the officers, saying that without their immediate professional interventions, the outcome would have been drastically different.
LONG SERVICE AND DESERVED PRAISE
Nine long service awards recognised the careers of former Special Constable Tina Willison (26 years), Inspector Scott Anger and Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Ian Magrath (21 years each), Special Constable Connor Richardson (nine years), and Inspector Matt Fox, Crime Scene Investigator Suzanne Pearce, former Head of Crime Prevention Sonja Leith and forensics expert Samantha Ross (20 years each).
Retired Police Constable John Griggs also received the honour for an astounding 57 years of service to the police, which included various roles in Wiltshire between January 1973 and November 1996.
Chief Constable Catherine Roper said: “Since assuming my role, I have witnessed first-hand the tireless efforts, care and professionalism displayed by our teams and our communities.
“Policing is an honourable profession that demands the highest standards of integrity and compassion.
“I always feel privileged to attend these evenings and hear about the achievements and dedication of officers and staff who work for Wiltshire Police, along with the selfless acts of members of the public who have put the needs of others ahead of themselves.
“Many of these achievements would not be possible without the encouragement, strength and support from family members and friends.
“To those who give that vital support - I thank you.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Chief Constable Roper has brought a renewed vigour and focus to Wiltshire Police over the past year.
“The standards set by these officers serve as a benchmark for policing in Wiltshire and it is now incumbent upon us all to complement these instances of individual excellence with consistency across the force and encourage others by serving as inspiration.
“I am confident that their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to upholding public service's core values will enhance public trust in our work.”
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