North Worcestershire’s star officers and staff recognised at awards

Officers, staff, and a member of the public who have gone above and beyond their duty to protect communities across North Worcestershire, have been recognised in a special ceremony. 

Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Jones, joined by Chief Superintendent Grant Wills, presented one of three awards, the Royal Humane Society Resuscitation award to a member of the public, Darren Harker.

Darren (above) received the award from ACC Rachel Jones following his selflessness and efforts made on October 13, 2022 in helping to save a life. 

The incident occurred in Brintons Park, Kidderminster, where Darren, an employee of Wyre Forest District Council, became aware of a situation unfolding and quickly arrived on scene to find a man having a cardiac arrest.

Darren started first aid whilst waiting for emergency services and provided chest compressions to the man. 

The man was taken to hospital and following treatment at the Worcestershire Royal, he has since made a recovery and able to leave. If not for the bravery and efforts of Darren, it could have been a different outcome. 

The second award of the evening, presented by DCI Gareth Lougher and Ch Supt Grant Wills, was the Chief Superintendent’s Commendations, where DC Claire Masters was recognised for her work during Operation Amalfi, a three-year investigation into the conveyance of prohibited items into His Majesty’s Prison Hewell in Redditch. 

Claire Masters with her two awards. Pictures by Charlotte Walker.

Throughout the investigation Claire showed exceptional organisational skills, diligence, and commitment, and resulted in 14 defendants being charged with the systematic conveyance of contraband into the prison system. Claire’s hard work and tenacity is a credit to her, and West Mercia Police.  

The final Chief Superintendent’s commendation for Investigations went to several officers including DC Emma Chivers, DC Paul Lofthouse and DC Claire Masters, following a complex and protracted investigation into the repeated sexual assault of a young child.

DC Emma Chivers and DC Paul Lofthouse

Throughout the investigation the team displayed exceptional skills, diligence, commitment, compassion, personal resilience, and professionalism which provided a significant contribution in securing key evidence which led to a guilty plea and the suspect receiving an 18-year custodial sentence for the offences. 

Ch Insp Ben Arrowsmith and Ch Supt Grant Wills awarded PC Daniel Windsor, PC Chris Hillman, PC Gareth Jones, PS Richard Leek, and PC Zoe Day with their Chief Superintendent’s Commendations after their team dealt with an incredibly challenging, emotive, and traumatic incident.  

On the evening of Tuesday 16 August, the team responded to a report of a woman who had fallen into a canal in Stourport-On-Severn and had not resurfaced for some time. 

The call was from a distraught friend who had entered the waters to save her friend but was also in danger.

The officers undoubtedly saved the life of the caller and assisted in the incredibly sad task of recovering the body of another. Their actions were incredibly impressive, absolutely embodying the values of West Mercia Police, displaying courage, ownership, effective communication, and quick thinking. (PC Zoe Day is seen below collecting her award from Ch Supt Grant Wills and PC Daniel Windsor with his award below that)

The Chief Constable’s Commendations award, and the final award of the evening, was presented by ACC Rachel Jones and Chief Supt Wills to PC Richard Clayton, who went above and beyond his duties and saved a baby’s life.  

In April 2022 he responded to an urgent report of a newborn baby who had stopped breathing and immediately assisted the parents in provision of first aid, clearing the baby’s airways until paramedics arrived on scene. 

If it weren’t for his calmness, professionalism, and quick actions the child would not be alive today. 

ACC Rachel Jones presents PC Clayton with his award

Officers, and staff deserving of awards and who were unable to attend the evening will receive their awards separately from the command team.

Supt Mel Paley said, “I am immensely proud and honoured to lead the men and women who deliver policing services across North Worcester, and tonight is a key highlight of this year for both me and my command team. 

“The awarding of these commendations recognises fantastic work. It also highlights there are many more across the force area and nationally who deliver exceptional levels of service and regularly go above and beyond to keep us all safe.” 

HS, Corporate Communications