Dozens of police officers from Brighton and Hove were recognised for their courage, outstanding service and investigative skills at an awards ceremony yesterday (Monday 9 February).
Two of them were given a Chief Constable’s Commendation for saving the life of a 22-year-old Hungarian who was slashed with a knife last August.
PC Alec Barrett and PC Alison Deller were on duty in Brighton when they found a man lying in a pool of blood outside the NatWest Bank in Castle Square.
Assistant Chief Constable Robin Smith said: “It appeared the male had been the victim of assault and had been gravely injured.
“Both officers saved the victim’s life by plugging his wound with their hands for 90 minutes.
“The officers kept up constant pressure on the victim’s neck to stop him bleeding to death even as he was taken from the street to the hospital, through x-rays and into surgery.
“The actions of both officers undoubtedly saved the young man’s life and by their actions displayed the highest standards of public service in what were particularly harrowing circumstances.
“Their efforts meant the victim was discharged from hospital just three days later and has made a full recovery.”
Mr Smith told all the officers at the ceremony – held in the Great Hall at Brighton College – that the public would be proud if they knew why they were being honoured.
He said: “People’s lives have been changed. People’s lives have been saved.
“When we become a constable we take an oath to protect people and property.”
He said that the officers receiving certificates of commendation had done a fantastic job but were a modest bunch.
He added: “We don’t do big bonuses. We just get certificates.”
But it was appropriate that they were being given out in the Great Hall, he said, because “you are truly great individuals and truly great teams in a truly great division”.
Chief Superintendent Steve Whitton told the officers and their families that the awards recognised “some really great examples of outstanding policing”.
He said that his officers had shown courage, putting the public’s safety ahead of their own, and they had saved people’s lives and handled complex investigations , securing important convictions.
