A boy who called 999 for his unconscious mother when he was just two years old is among members of the public, police officers and police staff recognised in the Chief Constable’s Bravery and Excellence Awards.
Hanlon Stevenson (got to be a Hibs fan? – Ed.) called emergency services after mum Lisa became unwell at their home in Stirling. Hanlon told call handlers, “Mummy is sleeping and I can’t wake her”, and ambulance staff attended to treat Lisa.
Others recognised in Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone’s Bravery and Excellence Awards include officers who arrested a violent man who was brandishing knives in East Kilbride; constables who rescued a man from a burning flat in Dundee; and the logistics team who supported Police Scotland’s operation for COP26.
A team driving a public health approach to policing in the Greater Glasgow Division was particularly highlighted for their excellence during a ceremony at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan, yesterday (Friday, 10 February, 2023).
Sir Iain said: “Policing is a relentless but hugely rewarding vocation in which you can help people and change lives for the better.
“These awards illustrate the bravery and professionalism demonstrated by police officers and staff right across Scotland every day. I am grateful for their commitment to public service and dedication to duty.
“Equally, effective policing is enabled and enhanced by our bond with the public and the trust and support of our communities. It is a privilege to recognise the bravery of our fellow citizens who stepped forward with courage when need arose.
“The opportunity to welcome nominees, recipients and their families to Headquarters and offer my personal thanks, regards and congratulations is a pleasure.”
Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans, said: “These awards recognise the outstanding bravery of members of the public as well as police officers and staff committed to keeping us safe.
“All of the nominees deserve our gratitude but especially little Hanlon who contacted the emergency services when his mum became ill – a truly heart-warming example of individual bravery.
“I would like to personally commend each and every one of the nominees for going above and beyond what could be reasonably expected, in order to help others. Their collective acts epitomise and signify the very best values of modern policing and of wider society and demonstrate selflessness when faced with incredibly challenging and dangerous situations.”
Kerry McMahon-White, Head of Partnerships at Police Mutual, who sponsor the awards, said: “Police Mutual is very proud to again be supporting the Chief Constable’s Bravery and Excellence Awards.
“To each nominee, your achievements are extraordinary. You are an inspiration and a credit to the service and I, and all my colleagues at Police Mutual, would like to offer our thanks to those who are nominated as well as congratulations to the winners.”
Not all winners have chosen to be named – those who wish to be named are:
Bravery and Meritorious Awards
- Allan MacKay (member of the public)
- Constable Andrew Inglis
- Constable Clanmorris David Thompson
- Constable Derrick McCracken
- Constable Euan MacLeod
- Constable Gary Drewett
- Constable Fraser Van-Dal
- Constable Iain O’Donnell
- Constable Jonathon Wilkin
- Constable Lee Brown
- Constable Oliver Siddall
- Constable Sharon Bradbury
- Fraser Ritchie (member of the public)
- Gavin Parker (member of the public)
- Hanlon Stevenson (member of the public)
- Jonathon and Christopher Easton (members of the public)
- Robert Smale (member of the public)
- Sergeant John Hampton
- Special Constable Stephen Booth
Excellence Awards
Excellence – Greatest Contribution to Policing Priorities
Excellence – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (joint winners)
- National Equality and Diversity Unit – Partnership, Prevention and Community Wellbeing Division
- One Community Scotland – Partnership, Prevention and Community Wellbeing Division
Policing Partner of the Year
The Neuk – Tayside Division
Service Improvement Award
Public Health Delivery Team – Greater Glasgow Division
Team of the Year
COP26 Logistics Team – Corporate Services Division
Wellbeing
Inspector Kirsten Marshall – Operational Support Division
Police Officer of the Year
Constable Harry Jackson – North East Division
Probationary Constable of the Year (Joint winners)
- Constable Christopher Wilton – Edinburgh Division
- Constable Laura Brown – North East Division
Police Member of Staff of the Year
Mhairi Matheson – Highland & Islands Division
Special Constable of the Year
Special Constable Robert Roper – Ayrshire Division
Police Unsung Hero Award
Constable Emma Fisher – Fife Division
Congratulations to all our nominees and winners.