A SOUTH Yorkshire Police constable who confronted a man wielding a baseball bat and a gun while on duty alone in the snow will compete for a National Bravery Award.<\/p>\n
PC Chris Foster, from Barnsley, was on duty in the town when officers received a report of a man being attacked with a baseball bat. He confronted and detained the attacker. The Police Bravery Awards are being held in London on Thursday October 16. PC Foster is pictured with chief constable David Crompton.<\/p>\n
Back in January 2013, on arrival at the snowy scene, PC Foster confronted the attacker and was threatened with a gun which later turned out to be fake.<\/p>\n
His pepper spray failed and he was involved in a violent struggle until back-up arrived and he managed to restrain the man, who was later jailed for three years.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for the force said PC Foster had \u201cacted in the best traditions of the Police Service\u201d and that he is \u201ca credit to South Yorkshire Police.\u201d<\/p>\n
PC Foster said: “It was a privilege to be recognised but there are many people doing the same thing day in day out. I was simply doing my job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neil Bowles, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: \u201cChris went to an incident in the middle of the night, responding to a radio call and not knowing what he was likely to come across.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was faced with a very aggressive person with what he thought was a baseball bat and a shotgun. Without thinking of his own safety he tackled the man to defend a member of public.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis response showed the true spirit of policing. We all hope that we would react in the same way as it is part of our job and training.\u201d<\/p>\n
More information on the awards will be coming in SYPFCopperConnection.<\/p>\n
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