Officers recognised at South Yorkshire Police awards
A POLICE sergeant who confronted an armed man has won a bravery award by South Yorkshire Police.
Sgt Chris Foster (pictured centre) was attacked by a man brandishing a double-barred shotgun when he attended a report of a man being assaulted.
He was one of the officers recognised at the South Yorkshire Police and Partners Together awards in Barnsley.
Sgt Foster twice fought off the attacker using Pava and restrained him unit other officers arrived to help in the early hours of a snowy night in January.
The offender had been repeatedly beating his victim with a long piece of wood when Sgt Foster arrived.
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: “Alone and with no readily available support due to extreme weather conditions, he ignored his own personal safety, took positive action and acted in the best traditions of the police service, with courage and professionalism.”
Sgt Foster is pictured with ACC Jo Byrne and local actor Dean Andrews.
On Thursday, 12 June, the first South Yorkshire Police and Partners Together awards were held at Tankersley Manor in Barnsley to recognise and celebrate the hard work of police officers, police staff and partners.
PC Matt Barnes from Barnsley Response received the Student of the Year Award from recently retired South Yorkshire Deputy Chief Constable Bob Dyson. PC Barnes received the award in recognition of his dedication, professionalism and a mature work ethic by showing he is confident and able to remain calm in difficult situations.
PC Jayne Morriss won the Brian Moseley Award in recognition of the significant contribution she has made as a uniformed officer towards community policing as part of the Dearne Safer Neighbourhood Team.
The Police Officer of the Year Award went to Barnsley Police Constable Ryan Griffiths. PC Griffiths has demonstrated a reputation of leading from the front, and over the last two years has received two Superintendent’s Good Work Minutes and two District Commander’s Commendations, his force said.
The Special Constable of the Year Award went to Special Chief Inspector Peter Bagshaw, while the
Community Safety Partnership Award was won by Operation Makesafe, led by Sgt Katherine Wallace. Team of the Year Award went to Operation Klan, which tackles child sex crime, while Sgt Graham Sayner won the Lifetime Achievement in Policing Award.
Chief Constable David Crompton said: “It is really important to recognise the enthusiasm, professionalism and bravery, displayed on a daily basis by our staff, the very best of which is acknowledged at this ceremony.”