Two GMP officers receive top award for heroic actions
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Two Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers were honoured on Friday 6 August 2021 for their bravery and courage following a terrifying ordeal.
PCs Alicia Snowden and Simon Toft from GMP's Stockport division were awarded the John Egerton Trophy by Chief Constable Stephen Watson in a presentation also attended by members of their family and the Stockport Senior Leadership Team.
At around midday on Friday 12 March 2021, police received several reports concerning an aggressive man at Woodley Health Centre on Hyde Road.
In three separate incidents that happened in quick succession, a man was assaulted through his car window, health staff were threatened to handover medication and staff inside the patient's waiting room were confronted with knives.
First to attend was PC Toft along with his colleague in training, who he was mentoring at the time, PC Snowden.
The man lunged at one of the officers who had to use his taser to safely detain him.
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PC Toft said "When we attend incidents, we have to be prepared for every eventuality and things can very quickly change depending on the individual and the threat to life.
"As the situation escalated, I had a growing concern for, not only the welfare of the members of the public but also myself and PC Snowden. Myself and PC Snowden worked together and as I am a taser-training officer - we were thankfully able to detain the suspect until further patrols arrived."
PC Snowden said "I'd just finished the first five weeks of my tutor phase with PC Toft. Due to the situation changing so rapidly, there was no time for Simon to fully brief me so my job was to be aware of my surroundings and do what I'd been trained to do whilst keeping myself, my colleague and the public safe.
"The extensive and thorough training we go through as officers gives you every eventuality however until you are faced with a scenario such as this one, you never know how the incident is going to play out.
"I am thankful for the training that I had been given together with the way myself and PC Toft worked together to prevent anyone coming to harm."
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Chief Constable Stephen Watson said "This incident, whilst shocking, shows the danger that our officers run towards on a daily basis. They put themselves in situations that others would run from, to protect our communities and thanks to their quick actions, this incident ended without harm or injury.
"I am proud to have two such officers as a part of our force - they are both truly deserving of the John Egerton Trophy for outstanding bravery and I am delighted they will now represent GMP in the Police Bravery Awards later on in the year."
The award is named after Constable John Egerton, who was killed in the line of duty on 11 March 1982 in Farnworth aged just 20. His death prompted students at the Bruche Police Training Centre to present a cup to the Chief Constable, which became known as the John Egerton Trophy. The trophy is awarded annually to an officer or officers of GMP who has performed the most meritorious act of valour during the year and the winner is selected by the Police Federation.