A South Yorkshire Police dog and his handler who teamed up to apprehend an offender during a violent domestic incident have won a South Yorkshire Police Federation Bravery Award.<\/p>\n
PC Terry Davidson and Police Dog Benson were among 11 colleagues across the force being recognised at the Federation\u2019s first ever annual event for their superb police work and their bravery.<\/p>\n
It was in September 2021 when the duo attended an incident in Balby, Doncaster to assist colleagues with a wanted 31-year-old man who had become violent and destructive to property.<\/p>\n
But prior to their arrival, the man fled the scene.<\/p>\n
When PD Benson and PC Davidson arrived \u2013 other officers were already in attendance at the domestic incident \u2013 the duo immediately started tracking the man and located him nearby, armed with a glass bottle.<\/p>\n
PC Davidson said: \u201cOnce PD Benson had located the man, I engaged him in conversation and asked him to put the glass bottle down or explained I would have to release Benson.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe man refused and became uncooperative and attempted to run away. The man was in the company of a friend who released a pitbull-type of dog from a nearby address. The dog immediately started to attack Benson.<\/p>\n
\u201cBenson received cuts to his face and muzzle area from the dog, but despite being attacked and suffering pain he did not lose focus of his task.\u201d<\/p>\n
The friend of the suspect then saw that his dog was being injured, so he recalled his dog and put it on a lead. Benson continued with his task and pursued the wanted man, eventually catching up with him so that he could be detained.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not just my partner, he\u2019s my best mate,\u201d said PC Davidson.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything happens fast, and just the professionalism on Benson, just literally putting himself in between me and the [attacking] dog. And then to deal with that, and then to have the bravery to then turn, on command, and then go and detain a suspect as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t thank him enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
PC Davidson added: \u201cWhat we\u2019re here for, ultimately, is to protect the victim. She\u2019s at the address, she\u2019s safe, but then what we do as a dog unit is, we find the bad guys and we detain them, and that\u2019s something that technology can\u2019t do.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got helicopters, you\u2019ve got drones, but at the end of the day, nothing better than Benson\u2019s nose. Our dog unit is second to none.<\/p>\n
\u201cBenson detained him\u2026 and then I joined Benson and we fought together to detain this male. Other officers arrived and helped us out\u2026 the male was arrested and district officers took him away.\u201d<\/p>\n
PC Davidson said that his bond with Benson has gone \u201cfrom strength to strength\u201d.<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cI have been a police officer for nine years and it\u2019s great to know I have Benson by my side in challenging situations. He works hard protecting myself and the communities of South Yorkshire.\u201d<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Steve Kent praised the commendable courage of both Benson and PC Davidson in this incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is police teamwork at its best,\u201d said Steve. \u201cPC Davidson was determined to track down the offender and PD Benson not only protected his handler but also \u2013 after coming under attack \u2013 then went on to get the bad guy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to thank both of them for their tenacity and bravery. The public of South Yorkshire should be very proud of them. I know their colleagues across South Yorkshire certainly are. They are very worthy winners.\u201d<\/p>\n
PC Davidson attended the South Yorkshire Police Federation Bravery Awards ceremony on 16 June. PD Benson was also recognised by the Federation for his courage that night, away from the Awards ceremony.<\/p>\n
The Awards are in Association with The Northern Police Healthcare Scheme. The hashtag for the event is #SYPFBravery.<\/p>\n