Devon and Cornwall Police celebrate everyday heroes

Uniformed officers and staff from Devon and Cornwall Police and two members of the public were recognized for their outstanding achievements for their role in keeping local communities safe.

Chief Superintendent Roy Linden, who leads the policing teams, said: “It has been a huge privilege to celebrate the outstanding service and heroic actions of our police officers and brave members of the public.

In June 2023, there was a report of a high-risk missing man who was in a suicidal state.

He had left his home and fled to a wooded area in South Brent.

A police helicopter has been deployed to assist in the search.

Locals David and Helen saw the helicopter pass over their house and decided to see if they could help.

They began a search of the local area and later found the man 15 meters up a tree with a rope around his neck.

The couple spent time talking to the man until police negotiators and emergency services arrived on the scene.

David stayed there for several hours until the man safely climbed down from the tree and was safe with local officers.

David and Helen’s quick thinking and empathy undoubtedly saved this vulnerable young man’s life.

In June 2023, an elderly woman with dementia was reported as a high-risk missing person.

What followed was exceptional teamwork from police officers and police control room staff to locate the missing vulnerable woman.

Chloe Webber, a control camera operator, was instrumental in gathering important information about the missing woman. It also secured additional resources to assist police officers on the ground, including help from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) who assisted in the sky and assistance from Enzo the police dog who assisted officers on the ground .

Officers found a footprint that appeared to be a woman’s and narrowed their search to a wooded area in Dartmouth.

Enzo successfully picked up a scent and followed a trail to a river, where they found the women partially submerged in the river.

The team quickly freed the woman, bringing her to safety.