Brave police officers who went above and beyond the call of duty, and community heroes have been recognised for their outstanding work at an awards ceremony.
The Chief Constable’s Commendations and Long Service Ceremony saw life saving officers given awards for their work.
One officer who was recognised was PC James Petrie and an officer who wished to remain anonymous who helped save the life of a man who had been stabbed and was losing blood in Peterborough city centre in the early hours of 25 July 2021.
The man lost consciousness seconds after the officers arrived and they immediately applied pressure to his wound.
They worked on him for 20 minutes before he was taken to hospital. Medical staff said injuries of this nature have an estimated 10 per cent survival rate and, without the officers’ rapid intervention, the man would probably have died.
DC Elaine Penniket was commended for her successful investigation of a kidnap and rape first reported 31 years ago.
The offender, Colin Hill, now known as Martin Cooper, was sentenced to seven years in jail for rape, kidnap and three assaults.
Cooper’s offending, including serious assaults and severe emotional abuse, began during his marriage to the victim between 1984 and 1987. She fled in 1987, however, soon after, Cooper kidnapped and raped her. He then went on to murder 17-year-old Leanne Scott in a village near Peterborough, for which he received a life sentence.
And away from the police, Abdul Choudhuri, chair of the Peterborough Joint Mosques Council, was commended for 50 years of service to his community in Peterborough. He has held many roles, from currently chairing the Joint Mosque Council, to working in the Pakistan Welfare Association, the Asian Community Association, the Community Relations Council, and being a Justice of the Peace.
Mr Choudhuri has taken the lead in managing relations between the police and community, particularly issues of a serious nature needing careful and delicate handling.
He helped authorities manage the pandemic by putting social media messages out on the benefits of the vaccine and of the need to take all the necessary precautions. He invited Public Health England and the police into his mosque to ensure the highest standards of Covid compliance.
Chief Constable Nick Dean said: “As we present these awards to our officers, staff and members of the public, it is overwhelming to read the stories of outstanding bravery, compassion and kindness towards others in very difficult circumstances.
“You have stepped up to help someone in need, put your own lives at risk and gone above and beyond for the people of Cambridgeshire – and to each and every one of you, I say thank you.”
9. Chief Constable’s Commendations and Long Service Ceremony
Sergeant Watson was commended for saving a woman’s life by rescuing her from a fast-flowing river in darkness. The woman had called police late on 5 August 2020 saying she intended to take her own life but then hung up. At just before 1am the following day, after hours of searching, they heard screaming nearby. The woman had become trapped in the cold water and dragged under. Despite a strong flow of water and the potential for the woman to have a knife, they tied themselves together using a tracking line and entered the water. They searched in the darkness where she was last seen, found her under the water and were able to jointly pull her to safety. Photo: Cambs Police
10. Chief Constable’s Commendations and Long Service Ceremony
DC Elaine Penniket is commended for her successful investigation of a kidnap and rape first reported 31 years ago. The offender, Colin Hill, now known as Martin Cooper, was sentenced to seven years in jail for rape, kidnap and three assaults. Cooper’s offending, including serious assaults and severe emotional abuse, began during his marriage to the victim between 1984 and 1987. She fled in 1987, however, soon after, Cooper kidnapped and raped her. He then went on to murder 17-year-old Leanne Scott in a village near Peterborough, for which he received a life sentence. Meanwhile, Cooper’s ex-wife reported the kidnap and rape but did not want to pursue it. She came back to police and wished to seek a prosecution in 2018. DC Penniket conducted a diligent and professional investigation. She researched the investigation into the murder and obtained a detailed account from the victim. She worked alongside the force’s public protection unit to ensure all safeguarding measures were in place. She was able to trace witnesses from more than 30 years ago and re-interview the suspect, while ensuring any risk posed by Hill was managed. Photo: Cambs Police