Police officers and staff across Shropshire recognised at awards ceremony

Police officers and staff, who have gone above and beyond their duty to protect communities across Shropshire, have been recognised in a special ceremony.

Chief Superintendent Paul Moxley presented 13 people with Chief Superintendent Commendations, and was joined by Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Jones who presented five people with Royal Humane Society awards at the ceremony held last night (Thursday 16 June).

The awards were given to a range of officers and police staff, including an off duty police officer who helped detain two men in Shrewsbury and a team of PCSOs and officers who gave lifesaving CPR to man after he fell into a canal in Ellesmere.

Pictured: Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Jones with PCSO Tracey Walker

Local policing Superintendent Stu Bill said: “It was an honour to see so many officers and staff recognised at this year’s awards ceremony. Everyone who was awarded either a Chief Superintendent Commendation Award or a Royal Humane Society Award did so because they went above and beyond the call of duty, and the high expectations both the public and the force set for them on a daily basis.

“These award ceremonies give us the chance to celebrate some of the fantastic work officers and staff carry out 24/7, 365 days a year to ensure we deliver the best possible service to our communities and protect people from harm

“All of the awards presented are incredibly well deserved, and on behalf of the whole force I would like to congratulate and thank everyone who has been presented with an award, and I am delighted that we are able to recognise these achievements.”

Guests included the families of those receiving awards along with the High Sheriff of Shropshire Selina Graham, Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion and the Leader of Shropshire Council, Councillor Lezley Picton.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: "Police officers and staff often go above and beyond to serve our communities and make them safer, and it's important we take the time to recognise this. These awards recognise those who've acted professionally, bravely and commendably and I would like to thank then for all that they've done."

Pictured: Chief Superintendent Paul Moxley with PC Paul Downes and PC Owen Beyton-Brown

Some of the awards presented on the night included:

• Detective Sergeant David Bettison, Detective Constable Trudi Burgess and Detective Constable Marcus Bassett all received a Chief Superintendent Commendation for their investigation that led to a man being found guilty of multiple sexual offences and sentenced to 22 years in prison.
• Alison Bellamy, Domestic Abuse Risk Officer received a Chief Superintendent Commendation for her outstanding professionalism, dedication and compassion in supporting and protecting a survivor of domestic abuse between 2018 and 2020.
• Detective Sergeant Sam Bell received a Chief Superintendent Commendation for her professionalism and tenacity whilst investigating a number of child sexual offences that resulted in the offender receiving a 20 year custodial sentence.
• Detective Constable Ruth Normandin received a Chief Superintendent Commendation for  her outstanding professionalism and victim focus, which led to the convictions of a man and woman for assault and perverting the course of justice in March 2021.
• Police Constable Owen Beyon-Brown and Police Constable Paul Downes received a Chief Superintendent Commendation for their teamwork and courage, which led to a man being sentenced to six years and six months following an assault in November 2019.
• Police Constable William Whiting received a Chief Commendation Award for assisting an officer, who was outnumbered, whilst off duty in detaining two violent offenders who had assaulted a member of the public in Shrewsbury in March 2021.
• Police Constable Jules Hiller received a Chief Superintendent Commendation Award their negotiation skills and remaining calm under stress during an incident in September 2019, when it was unknown whether they were in danger.
• Police Community Support Officer Kerry Hogg, Police Community Support Officer Tracey Walker, Police Constable Kimberley Morris, Police Constable Ben Francis and Police Constable Katie Leclere received a Royal Humane Society Award for assisting in CPR and save a man’s to life on September 2019 in Ellesmere.

Have you been inspired by the above stories? Do you enjoy facing challenges and solving problems and would like to contribute to keeping your community safe while developing a wider range of skills? Then policing could be for you.

West Mercia Police is currently recruiting new police officers, and you can find out more about a career in policing by visiting our careers pages.

Issued by RJ, Corporate Communications