Police Scotland held a local awards ceremony at Divisional Headquarters in Dumfries on Tuesday 6 December 2016 when awards were presented to officers and members of the public in recognition of their commitment to keeping people safe in Dumfries and Galloway.
The awards were presented by local policing commander for Dumfries and Galloway, Chief Superintendent Gary Ritchie who said “it was a privilege to hear about the breadth and scope of work being carried out by staff across the division, and an honour to recognise and meet people who have gone above and beyond what might otherwise be expected in a number of situations. Everyone who received an award should be proud of their efforts and the public should also take pride in those who are serving in their communities across the region.”
The awards were as follows:-
Sergeant Lynsey Nicolson and Constable Bruce Kemp – Above and Beyond
On 04.08.2016 the partner of the victim contacted police to report that the victim had taken a drugs overdose and had collapsed and was unresponsive, she was at that time attempting CPR.
Constable Kemp attended at the property in Dumfries along with Sergeant Nicolson. On entering the property they observed the reporter carrying out chest compressions on the victim. Constable Kemp without thought checked over the victim, found no pulse and no breaths, the male was grey in colour with his eyes rolled back into his head, he then commenced CPR.
Constable Kemp provided two breaths into the victim’s mouth where on the second breath the victim responded and commenced breathing for himself.
Ambulance attended and thereafter provided the relevant medical assistance. The male was subsequently conveyed to Dumfries Royal Infirmary where he remained overnight, making a full recovery.
Constable Kemp remained calm throughout and without doubt saved the life of the young male.
Sergeant Nicolson remained calm and assisted to remove the victim’s partner and children from the scene allowing Constable Kemp to continue CPR and providing reassurance to the family during a traumatic incident.
Constable Nicola Wilson and Constable William Boyce – Making a Difference
Constable Boyce has 14 years service within V Division and his core role is the Stranraer Academy Campus Officer. Constable Wilson has 17 years service within V Division and her core role is the Anti-Social Behaviour Officer covering Galloway.
The Stranraer branch of Police Scotland Youth Volunteers was started in June 2015. During this short period both William and Nicola have been the driving force behind the huge success that this group have achieved.
In April 2016 having been formed for less than a year the group competed in the 2016 PSYV Cumnock Awards. They were a credit to not only themselves but also Police Scotland and went on to win the overall award for team commitment and endeavour a tremendous achievement having only been together a short period.
The group have also taken part in many local events such as Wickerman 2015, Stranraer Half Marathon, Stranraer 10K, Kirkcudbright Civic Week, Charity events, Remembrance Parades, to name but a few. The group also carried out fund raising and were able to purchase a lifesaving defibrillator which is kept at Stranraer Academy. They have also unertaken their own heart start training.
There is no doubt that the enthusiasm and commitment shown by Constables Boyce and Wilson has allowed the group to achieve these targets. William and Nicola frequently change their working shifts to accommodate training/events and often work their weekends off to accommodate group events. They also spend a considerable amount of their own time updating Facebook, arranging events, picking youths to attend certain events, administration duties, arranging transport dealing with partner agencies. Both officers also have young families.
I have no doubt that had it not been for William and Nicola’s hard work and enthusiasm then the Stranraer PSYV would not have proved such a success and the youth volunteers would not have taken such a great sense of achievement from it. Their hard work has also been commented on Facebook, with messages of thanks and letters of recognition for the work that they have carried out.
Retired Constable Alison Hannah – Making a Difference
Retired Constable Alison Hannah is receiving a Recognition Award for the work and commitment she has shown through her Campus Officer role, with the work she undertook having a direct effect on the community
Constable Hannah has undertook this role for a number of years but during 2015-2016 she extended her remit by taking on further schools within the Stewartry area. This meant she took responsibility for five secondary schools whilst working part time hours, three days a week, showing continued commitment to all her schools.
During the school year she undertook a number of school talks in her five schools. Alison was very clear of the need to ensure that each input she provided to the pupils was relevant and up to date and carried out research prior to talks to ensure that they met the needs of the audience at that time. To accomplish this through part time hours can only be achieved through good use of time management skills. Her dedication to the role was such that she would often change her days off to accommodate inputs and to attend school related meetings in the evenings (parents evenings etc).
Alison was also instrumental in a number of major inputs to the school curriculum including Do the Right Thing, Internet Safety Events, Christmas Safety Events including ‘Selfie Elfie’, Young Drivers Schemes and The Moving On Project.
Constable Hannah retired on 1 September 2016 and as such her ‘replacement’ Constable Nicola McFadzean shadowed her prior to the end of the school term. Constable McFadzean says it was evident when visiting each of the schools that they considered Alison to be an integral part of the education team and they valued her commitment towards the health and wellbeing section of the school curriculum.
The effect that Constable Hannahs’ work in this area has made can never be fully measured, but an indication of the respect she gained is clear in that she was invited to present the Douglas Ewart High Schools Awards at an event on 31st August this year, an honour which is usually bestowed upon retiring education staff.
Mr Stuart Dalgleish
At 1820 hours on 30 April 2016, security staff at Tesco, Lockerbie Road, Dumfries contacted Police advising they were following a shoplifter who they had observed de-tagging goods. Whilst police were en-route, security staff had challenged the shoplifter near to the exit of the store and advised him of their observations.
The shoplifter attempted to make off and struggled with store security staff inside the main exit of the store. Mr Stuart Dalgleish, a 72 year old customer within the store, was approaching the exit and observed the two members of staff struggling with the shoplifter, who was much larger in stature that the security staff and Mr Dalgleish. During the struggle, which continued through the internal doors into the foyer, the shoplifter was making his way towards the exit, effectively dragging the store staff with him, and Mr Dalgleish observed the shoplifter pick up a plant pot and attempt to strike the security guard over the head. It was Mr Dalgleish’s honestly held belief the plant pot had in fact struck the security guard.
Mr Dalgleish observed that the shoplifter was about to overcome the staff and either cause them harm or escape. He immediately formed the opinion that nobody else was coming to help and he had to take immediate action. Mr Dalgleish struck the shoplifter to the knees with his shopping trolley in an effort to distract him, which had the desired effect and allowed security staff to get their breath and adjust their hold on the shoplifter, pinning him into the corner of the foyer, assisted by Mr Dalgleish. After a momentary pause, the shoplifter continued to struggle but Mr Dalgleish continued to assist in restraining the shoplifter until the arrival of police.
It is my opinion that had Mr Dalgleish not intervened as he did, the shoplifter would very likely have made good his escape and it is reasonable to suggest that there was a good chance one or both of the store staff may have been injured as a result.
The offender was apprehended, charged accordingly, and subsequently sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for this and other offences.
I believe Mr Dalgleish deserves special recognition for his efforts whereby he placed himself in danger without hesitation in order to assist two members of the public, store security staff, who were struggling and in danger of being overpowered by the shoplifter within the store, despite having observed the shoplifter striking one of the security staff to the head with a pot.
Special Constable Hardip Atwal – Making a Difference
Hardip Atwal has been a member of the Special Constabulary in V Division, Dumfries and Galloway for a number of years. Everyone who knows Hardip admires him for his hard working ethics, enthusiasm, generosity and cheery disposition. He has long been an ambassador for local policing and to say he throws himself into every situation is an understatement. He is a very genuine and popular person who is first in line to help anyone.
Hardip is the manager of a very busy family run convenience/white goods store in Annan and is married with two children. As well as the store and the Special Constabulary he volunteers for local events in his home town, and is always helping at his children’s school events. He also organises social events for the Special Constabulary. His energy for helping and being involved in things knows no limits.
Hardip is a regular visitor and friend to the Training Department at Dumfries. About a year ago, Sergeant Iain McKie and Constable Ian Dawes (Training Department, Dumfries) launched their third epic charity raising event. Five police officers running in 10km relays 750 miles throughout the UK non-stop (24 hours a day for 7 days). Named the “Run Doonhame Five Capitals Challenge”, the guys started at the Tower of London, ran to Hollyhead, Wales then to Dublin, Belfast, Cairnryan and through Dumfries and Galloway up to Edinburgh where you would assume they would have stopped, but no they decided to finish running by all five of them completing the Edinburgh Marathon. Throughout the run they had a backup team of five officers who were also on the road at all times with them.
Hardip has been an absolute stalwart to the team. He has organised curry nights and band nights and taken a lot of the pressure off the team so that they could concentrate on their training. His fundraising skills have been phenomenal, he is not afraid to approach local business people and get them involved all in the aid of charity. He sold wristbands to just about every customer who came into his store. During the week of the run he personally donated £10 from every white good sold (£460). Hardip also donated most of the food the team carried with them on their adventure as well as blankets. On one evening he met up with the guys and provided them a huge meal. At every step Hardip has been there giving assistance. He also became their personal public relations representative and was constantly making contact with the local press/TV stations/Sunday Post in order to keep the momentum and interest up.
Behind every event like this there is always someone who puts their heart and soul into the fundraising/logistics and practicalities. In a nutshell Hardip has been outstanding and relentless in his support and efforts. At no point in time has Hardip wanted or expected any recognition of his work nor has he had any personal gain.
The Run Doonhame are predicting their final total figure will be in the region of £15,000 for COPS and Cash for Kids.
Sergeant Iain McKie
Sergeant Iain McKie has been the brains behind the Run Doonhame. This started in 2013 when he organised a team of officers) to run from the north of Scotland down to Dumfries non-stop (hence the title). This was in aid of a local charities as well as police charities (Care of Police Survivors). This marked the end of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and team ran back in to Dumfries on the last day of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, lowering the local flag.
Iain has driven this forward every year for four years, with extreme running, and has now raised tens of thousands of pounds for local people and COPS. He is now planning for an extreme cycle in 2017 that ties in with a COPS charity event down south. Not only has he been the brains behind this but has organised support teams and a number of local events to raise money for COPS and local charities.
Special Constable Robert Telfer
Special Constable Robert (Rab) Telfer joined the Special Constabulary on 1st April 1987 and has completed 29 years and 7 months service. Rab is married and lives in Kirkconnel. He consistently achieves 400 plus hours a year operational service to the local community. In 2014 Rab deployed to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow where he completed a five day shift working between 14 and 17 hours per day. Rab is very well known in his local community and due to his expertise, knowledge and capability he annually takes the lead policing role at ride outs and parades during the annual Riding of the Marches celebratory week, a role he carries out with dignity and pride.
