TAU trio turn into lifesavers after being bold and brave

In September 2024, three of our officers from the Tactical Aid Unit were given the Bravery Award at the Chief Constable’s Awards. Their recognition being highlighted from an incident the year before in early October 2023, when they attended a call around the concern for the welfare of a woman at Salford Quays, going above and beyond their usual duties.

The officers receive their CC Award in September 2024

What they were faced with at night was not only low visibility due to the dark conditions being close to midnight but sub-zero freezing water temperatures.

With instinct kicking in and a desire to help someone in danger who was in the water, the trio, who form part of the Specialist Operations Branch, PC Colin Harrison, PC Joseph Dearnaley and PC Nicholas Leach, not only had to manage the situation but deal with an understandably concerned husband and other members of the public who were in distress.

Immediately scanning the area there were no life support rings at the time in the immediate vicinity, they attempted to bring the woman to safety using emergency rescue lines but were unsuccessful. With crucial time ticking PCs Dearnaley and Leach entered the water to help the woman, who by this point was unable to assist in her own recovery. PC Harrison, the designated TAU team leader, maintained command and control and ensured both officers had emergency rescue lines to subsequently keep them safe too.

Swimming around 60 metres in freezing cold water to reach her, they worked in unison to secure the woman and themselves with the rescue lines, whilst the rest of the TAU team and members of the public assisted in pulling them towards the edge of the quay. The woman was safely recovered from the water and her life was ultimately saved during her hour of need, thanks to the immense courage of our dedicated officers.

As with all instances of officers putting the welfare of others before their own to protect the public, despite our approach to dealing with mental health incidents recently changing nationally, this hasn’t impacted or changed our desire that if members of the public need us and there is a threat to life, we will be there as the first line of response.

Chief Inspector Paul Bray from our Specialist Operations Branch said; “All three officers deserve this recognition for their selfless actions on that night. As officers we are always wanting to keep the public safe but, on this occasion, they went above and beyond that put their lives at danger.

“Their heroic efforts saved that woman’s life that night and meant she got the help and support she needed afterwards.

“As Tactical Aid Unit officers they attend a variety of high-risk incidents and warrants to provide specialist support to colleagues and the public when needed. They are terrific individuals who we are proud to have as part of our team.”

In the officers’ awards citation from senior leaders it stated: “All three officers acted in the finest traditions of British policing and their actions underpinned the attestation they took when they joined GMP.”

After being given the award PCs Leach and Dearnaley said: “It’s our biggest achievement to date within our policing careers, due to the nature of the incident and the recognition it’s received.

"We were excited to share the award with our families, friends and other colleagues who were in attendance at the incident on the evening – it was a real team effort including PCs Thind and Felton, who were both involved in the incident as well and crucial to the incident in speaking with emergency service colleagues and members of the public."