Page 4 - Bedfed Sept2016 Flipbook

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Brave duo’s day
“The result was a real team effort. This included PCSos, Cid and the control room - all of whom were exceptional and demonstrated a real ‘Team Bedfordshire’ approach. although i and owen Webb were the recipients – we were there representing all Bedfordshire officers, staff, and volunteers.”
So said Bedfordshire Sergeant Paul Chadwick after he and colleague PC Owen Webb attended a reception at Number 10 Downing Street followed by a glittering event at the Dorchester Hotel as nominees for the national Police Bravery Awards.
The duo were nominated for the national awards by Bedfordshire Police Federation after tackling a woman who wanted to blow up her home. They had run into the flat through flames and smoke despite the danger to themselves and the strong smell of an accelerant which had not yet ignited.
The woman was known to have a history of trying to commit suicide. Recalling the events which led to their nomination, Owen said: “Being a Taser officer and dealing with the risk of flammables/accelerants that were used I had to weigh up the dangers of how to deal with the lady and risk assess the dangers to myself and my colleagues.”
At first, Owen thought he was alone and he explained: “It wasn’t until I saw Paul come in behind me that I felt a sense of relief that I wasn’t on my own.”
Given the same set of circumstances he said he would do it all again: “In a heartbeat!”
The reception at Number 10 fell on Theresa May’s first full day as Prime Minister.
Paul, who took his partner Dr Julia Gippert, said: “It was a once in a life-time event and to be at Number 10 on the first day of a new Prime Minister’s time in office was incredible. I also thought it pertinent that Theresa May’s first official function as PM was to recognise the bravery award police officers.”
Owen, who was accompanied by his fiancée Steph Surman, commented: “At first I was a little disappointed that we weren’t going in through the front door and were actually being let in through the ‘Plebgate’, however, to walk in the garden that very few people have walked through was a great experience that I will never forget. We met many other brave colleagues, and we were allowed out the front - so we had a photo by the door.”
For Paul it as an opportunity to meet some ‘stars’ and some old colleagues: “I was
At the awards evening are (left to right) Dr Julia Gippert, Sgt Paul Chadwick, DCC Mark Collins, Bedfordshire Police Federation secretary Emma Carter, Steph Surman and PC Owen Webb.