Brave South Yorkshire officer nominated for National Awards
A SOUTH Yorkshire Police officer viciously assaulted by a man who was wanted for driving and knife crimes – but whose actions managed to help detain him – has been nominated for The National Police Bravery Awards.
Sgt Richard Pettican originally pursued the man who had been identified as a suspect following the theft of a car at knifepoint.
He and an associate were also wanted for a knife attack earlier that day on three men in a block of flats in Doncaster.
They had been spotted getting out of the stolen car on CCTV, before they used it to make their escape.
They then crashed the car allowing officers including Sgt Pettican to set off in pursuit of them.
A short time later, Sgt Pettican spotted one of the suspects in an alleyway and despite the man being considerably larger than him, went to make the arrest.
The suspect reacted aggressively to the attempt to detain him and assaulted Sgt Pettican several times all the while trying to use his baton against him.
When that didn’t work the assailant managed to get hold of the officer’s handcuffs and began hitting him with them instead.
Sgt Pettican was seriously injured during the attack but would not back down, an act which allowed colleagues to come to his aid and eventually detain the violent aggressor.
The man was arrested and charged with two knife point robberies, a whole host of driving offences and the violent assault on Sgt Pettican.
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Zuleika Payne said Sgt Pettican had showed great determination and courage to ensure the suspect didn’t escape.
“This man was involved in a number of knife related crimes and without Sgt Pettican he could still be at large.
“What he did potentially saved many more members of the public from becoming victims of a knifepoint robbery or assault.
“Sgt Pettican was seriously injured in this horrific incident which makes his determination and bravery even more outstanding.
“Myself and all our South Yorkshire colleagues are very proud of him.”
Sgt Pettican will attend a reception and an evening awards ceremony in London in July. The National Police Bravery Awards honour officers who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty. The awards are sponsored by Police Mutual.