A SPECIAL ceremony has been held in Reading town centre to celebrate the achievements of Thames Valley Police officers.
The Commander’s Commendation Ceremony also recognised members of the public to helped save the lives of others, apprehend offenders and help the most vulnerable.
Reading’s town hall was the venue for the event.
Among the winners was Detective Sergeant Rachel Belsher, who was commended for her work in coordinating two complex cases where the victims needed significant and consistent engagement.
She built a case to secure numerous convictions for sexual offences against young people.
Police Constable Sam Offord, with two other Police Constables were commended for their actions in saving a man’s life who was intent on jumping off a multi-storey car park, saving his life.
Lewis Collier and Joshua Dearden, two members of the public, were commended for their bravery in intervening in a sexual assault of a young woman, allowing her to flee to safety, and their evidence helped convict the attacker, who is now behind bars and on the sex offenders register.
Sgt Richard Probert and PC Rich Sherlock along with another Sergeant were commended for their actions at the scene of a major incident, managing a crowd and get the situation under control.
A Detective Constable from Reading Priority Crime Team was commended for his commitment and dedication on a challenging sexual assault investigation that has been ongoing since 2019, which saw the case go to court.
A recently retired Police Sergeant was commended for his dedication to policing as he has served the local community in Reading for more than 30 years. Those assembled heard that his commitment has been consistent throughout his career, he was as enthusiastic on his last day as he was on his first day.
Two Police Constables were commended for remaining calm and composed when providing urgent, lifesaving first aid to a man who had been stabbed, helping save his life.
A Police Constable was commended for helping with the roll-out of Pronto, a digital system that allows officers to record crime via their phones.
PC Nicholas Jones, DC James Morgan and a further six officers were commended for their professionalism, respect and compassion in very trying circumstances in response to a house fire earlier this year.
PC Anais Banneville and another Police Officer were commended for demonstrating calm, professionalism and understanding when negotiating with a distressed male on a bridge.
Member of the public David Steed was commended for his quick actions to prevent a person in crisis from hurting themselves. While also doing this, he has alerted the police and waited their arrival.
Police Officers Abby Tucker and Grace Boland, along with another Officer and a Sergeant were commended for their initial response to a report of modern day slavery.
A Sergeant, PC Adam Brown, another officer and members of the public Alex, Andrew and Maddie Bonner were commended for saving the life of a vulnerable young woman.
PC James Hammond was commended for his performance in continuously delivering a high level of victim care and consistently completing his investigations to a high standard to achieve the best outcomes for victims.
Sergeants Rich Noone and one other, and Police Constables Adam Brown, George Johnston, Vince Moore, James Denning and six others were commended for their actions in locating, recovering and supporting the lifesaving attempts of a 10-year-old child who lost his life in the River Kennet in August.
Police Constable Conner McGrath and another officer were commended for their actions in saving the life of a vulnerable woman in crisis and safeguarding her and the public from harm. They both risked their own safety without hesitation to protect others in the finest traditions of the police service.
PCSO Hannah Elliot was commended for exhibiting exceptional performance in supporting the policing principles of openness and accountability as well as the Force priority of engaging, listening and responding in her role of social media lead for the local policing area.
A Police Constable was commended by Judge Emma Nott for her work in a domestic stalking case that had been ongoing for two years.
Judge Nott said: “This has been a particularly difficult case for her to have had to run and everything that we have heard has made us aware that it was made even more difficult by the personal and wholly unjustified attacks made upon her.”
Reading Local Policing Area Commander, Superintendent Steve Raffield, said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to all our winners on the night. It is a privilege to be able to recognise all of the outstanding hard work and achievements. It is testament to the selflessness and perseverance of our officers, staff and local community that there are so many deserving winners.
“The awards that were presented make me proud to police Reading and I believe demonstrate what a great sense of community we have. Thank you for all you have done for the town.”
