Three Staffordshire police officers who disarmed a 25-stone man who was threatening to harm himself with a knife and then pulled him out of a burning house have been honoured at the national Police Bravery Awards 2021.
PCs Paul Waterhouse, Daniel Woodmansey and Joanne Willis joined fellow nominees from across the country at the awards ceremony in London on 9 December before an audience including policing minister Kit Malthouse, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick.
They were joined at the ceremony by Glyn Pattinson, secretary of Staffordshire Police Federation, who said afterwards: “I was incredibly proud to attend the bravery awards with our nominees.
“They went over and above the call of duty to tackle what was an incredibly volatile and dangerous situation and worked together to bring it to a safe conclusion. I am pleased their efforts have been recognised on a national stage.”
PCs Waterhouse and Woodmansey were called to an address in Parkhall Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent, following a report that a man had been involved in a domestic incident and was spraying whisky around the property with the intention of setting it alight.
On arrival, the situation was further complicated by three dogs barking aggressively at the officers from behind a gate to the side of the property, while they could also see the shape of a fourth through the glass front door.
The dog was let out and ran, barking, towards the officers. PC Waterhouse managed to calm the animal before PC Willis, a dog handler, arrived moments later to take control of it.
Meanwhile, an alarm had been set off inside the property and there was the smell of smoke, so PC Waterhouse used the enforcer to open the door.
Inside they found the man slumped on the living room sofa with a kitchen knife, about a foot long, in his hand and with the kitchen now well ablaze, the officers had to move fast.
PC Woodmansey holstered his Taser and tried to take the knife from the man who then resisted and moved the blade towards his upper body, as if to harm himself.
At this point, PC Waterhouse drew and discharged his Taser, causing him to drop the knife.
“Without the Taser we wouldn’t have been able to take control and take the knife from him,” he said. “Due to the fire, we didn’t have the time to negotiate any longer with him.”
However, the man, who was estimated to weigh around 25st, then rolled onto the floor, jamming his body between the sofa and a coffee table. He refused to stand up and was aggressive.
By now the hall was full of thick, black smoke and the officers began to fearing for their lives as they struggled with the 25st deadweight while engulfed in thick smoke.
PC Waterhouse said: “We had managed to get him halfway down the hall before I could no longer breathe. I let go of him and ran out of the front door, gasping for breath.”
He was followed by PC Woodmansey, who added: “I could feel I was breathing in smoke and felt as though I was suffocating. I feared for my life at that point and so ran out the front door so that I could catch my breath outside.”
The officers then returned to the burning building and, with the help of PC Willis, managed to drag the man out of the front door and to safety.
The national Police Bravery Awards honour officers from across England and Wales who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.
Four West Yorkshire Police officers who detained two attackers who murdered a man with a samurai sword were named overall winners at the awards ceremony.
The colleagues were honoured for their professionalism during a horrific incident in January 2020 when they responded to reports of a man being viciously attacked outside a pharmaceutical factory in Huddersfield.
The officers – one of whom was in the first two weeks of her career – were confronted by the barbaric sight of attackers hacking at the victim with a sword and knives when they arrived at the scene. They bravely managed to detain both assailants, despite the offenders still being in possession of the murder weapon and knives.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the “dedication and conscientiousness” of all the nominees and paid tribute to their bravery.
He said: “Acts of bravery in policing are, necessarily and thankfully for us all, commonplace. Every day, local and national media is awash with examples of police heroism. Be it confronting dangerous and violent people, rescuing members of the public or working day and night on the most harrowing of cases, bravery is a defining characteristic of the police.
“It is this unflinching bravery, alongside your dedication and conscientiousness, that inspires my steadfast support for the police.
“I am bowled over by the nominees. You are a credit to your forces and your illustrious forebears in policing. I salute each and every one of you.”
Kerry McMahon-White, head of partnerships at Police Bravery Awards sponsor Police Mutual, said: “The role of a police officer has never been easy, but the last 18 months has seen you continue to protect the public while battling the unprecedented impact of Covid-19, putting the safety of others before yourself with unwavering commitment.
“I thank each one of you for the sacrifices you have made with resolute dedication in the most difficult of circumstances.
“To all of you who have been nominated; your acts of bravery are exceptional and this evening we pay tribute to your remarkable heroism and dedication.
“All at Police Mutual are honoured to be able to support those who have gone above and beyond and offer our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all nominees.”
