Achievement recognised at GMP awards ceremony

Chief Constable Peter Fahy, Constable Phillip Bainbridge, Mrs Joan Egerton, Sergeant Christopher Flint

Greater Manchester Police officers and staff were awarded commendations for bravery along with long service and good conduct by the Chief Constable Peter Fahy at a recent award ceremony.

Among the recipients were Sergeant Christopher Flint and Constable Phillip Bainbridge who were presented with the John Egerton Trophy from Chief Constable Peter Fahy and Mrs Joan Egerton for their outstanding courage and bravery when they detained a violent man.

Chief Inspector Stephen Eckersley, Sergeant Joseph Hull and Sergeant Christopher Owen received a Chief Constable’s Commendation for their outstanding commitment and dedication during Operation viola, an investigation into the shooting of Ucal Chin and Tyrone Gilbert, by members of the Gooch Gang.

Constable Mark Flanagan received a Chief Constable’s commendation for his courage and professionalism after rescuing a woman from an overturned smoking car when off duty.

Dr Choudhury from the Occupational Health and Welfare Unit also received a Chief Constable’s commendation after an astonishing 52 years service as a Police Surgeon.

Chief Inspector Bernice Woods was awarded a Third Bar for her dedication after 40 years service as a special constable on the Rochdale division. As well as her duties at Rochdale, Bernice also helped with the training of new recruits.

Further details of the recipients of the awards can be found below.

Details of Awards: John Egerton Trophy
On the 11 March 1982, Constable John Egerton, 20 years of age and a quiet, courageous young man was killed whilst carrying out his duty in Farnworth.

This tragic loss of a fine officer in the service of the community prompted a most generous response from people throughout the country, including students at the Police Training Centre, Bruche, who presented a commemorative Cup to the Chief Constable – thereafter to be known as The John Egerton Trophy.

The Trophy is awarded annually to an officer or officers of Greater Manchester Police who, in the view of colleagues, have performed the most meritorious act of valour during the year.

Recipients:
Sergeant Christopher Flint
Constable Phillip Bainbridge

The Chief Constable and Mrs Joan Egerton presented the John Egerton Trophy to Sergeant Christopher Flint and Constable Phillip Bainbridge. This is in recognition of their outstanding courage and bravery when they detained a violent offender who had fatally injured another man.

On Monday 6 October 2008, Sergeant Christopher Flint and Constable Phillip Bainbridge were on duty in plain clothes when a report of a burglary and assault came through where the offenders were armed with knives.

Sergeant Flint and PC Bainbridge were the first officers on the scene and arrived to find the front door smashed and the garden littered with broken glass and crockery.

Knowing there were children inside, the officers were concerned for their safety and so bravely entered the house. They were immediately confronted by two violent males, one of which had a woman and child pinned in a corner of the room. The first man escaped out of the house but the man threatening the victims turned his attention towards the officers and began attacking them with a knife.

During a violent struggle the man stabbed Sergeant Flint in the arm causing a large wound. He then stabbed PC Bainbridge in the knee. Despite their injuries the officers eventually were able to restrain and disarm the man. Following the arrest, both officers needed medical treatment, including having to be given oxygen due to the severity of the wounds.

This man was arrested and charged with the attempted murder of Sergeant Flint and assaults on Constable Bainbridge. He was also charged with burglary and robbery offences. In June last year the man appeared at Manchester Crown Court and was sentenced to an indeterminate life sentence with a minimum of seven years.

Chief Constable’s Commendation
The Chief Constable’s Commendation is awarded for acts of bravery or excellent work or service to the public by police officers or members of police staff.

Recipients:
Chief Inspector Stephen Eckersley
Sergeant Joseph Hull
Sergeant Christopher Owen
Constable Mark Flanagan
Dr Choudhury

The Chief Constable awarded his Commendation to Chief Inspector Stephen Eckersly, Sergeant Joseph Hull and Sergeant Christopher Owen for their outstanding commitment and dedication during Operation Viola, an investigation into the shooting of Ucal Chin and Tyrone Gilbert, by members of the Gooch Gang.

The shooting of Ucal Chin and Tyrone Gilbert, by members of the Gooch Gang, was the largest and most complex investigation undertaken by GMP into the criminal use of firearms and distribution of heroin and crack cocaine. Between January and May in 2008, the team planned and carried out several days of action, resulting in the arrest of 11 gang members. It was a highly complex and long running investigation and trial, only finishing in April last year.

The team’s commitment and tenacity overcame the challenges of balancing a live investigation, case management and an unprecedented criminal trial. Their teamwork and collaborative efforts with specialist units and partners led to the introduction of innovative processes and vulnerable witness support and management. They had to safeguard witnesses and their families from retaliation by the gang. The use of new legislation regarding witness anonymity, the first such use within the UK, was critical to the success achieved.

The vacuum created by the arrest of the 11 defendants enabled GMP to build trust and confidence in communities that have been vulnerable to this type of criminality for over 20 years. All 11 were convicted at Liverpool Crown Court and sentenced to a minimum total of 220 years in prison.

Although very much a big team effort, the work undertaken by these officers was crucial to the enquiry. Their meticulous attention to detail, diligence and leadership were critical to the successful outcomes achieved. Their involvement helped the operation receive regional, national and international acclaim, but beyond all this was the peace that was brought to the local communities who had been blighted by the criminal acts of those convicted.

Constable Mark Flanagan received a Chief Constable’s commendation for his courage and professionalism after rescuing a woman from an overturned smoking car when off duty.

In the early evening of Monday 26 January last year, Mark was off duty and was with his wife in a field in Barnston on the Wirral, looking after their horses. From here they saw a car leave the road and turn on its side.

Mark ran to the car and saw that a woman was trapped inside. He rang the emergency services and stayed with her until they arrived. However, the vehicle started to smoke and he believed the car was going to catch fire. Mark climbed onto the top of the car and managed to wrench open a door. He then was able to manoeuvre the woman out of the car and take her to safety.

All emergency services then arrived and were able to make the car safe and treat the woman, who fortunately did not suffer any serious injuries. One of the Merseyside Officers who attended the scene sent a letter to GMP stating “This was an excellent effort by Mark, displaying both courage and professionalism in difficult circumstances. The family are very grateful for Mark’s assistance”.

Dr Choudhury from the Occupational Health and Welfare Unit received a Chief Constable’s commendation after an astonishing 52 years service as a Police Surgeon.

Dr Choudhury was one of the sessional Occupational Health Physicians in the Occupational Health and Welfare Unit. He retired in December last year after an astonishing 52 years of working with the police service.

His association with the police began in 1957 when he lectured and examined at the police training centre, Bruche. As a member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade he also provided regular first aid cover during such functions as boxing, wrestling and swimming at the centre on a voluntary basis. Dr Choudhury was awarded Knight of St John in 1992 whilst Area Commissioner in the St John Ambulance Brigade.

In 1960 he became a Police Surgeon, serving the Wigan Division and continued working for Wigan and Bolton when Wigan amalgamated with Lancashire. In 1974 he continued to provide this service on behalf of the newly created GMP until his retirement in 2003 after 42 years. It is unlikely that such a service history will be repeated in the future.

In addition to his role as police surgeon, Dr Choudhury has worked as a sessional Occupational Health Physician with GMP since 1992. His main responsibilities have been in undertaking police recruit medicals. He was instrumental in achieving the target of recruiting and maintaining over 8000 police officers.

In his 52 years association with the Police Service Dr Choudhury has shown dedication and commitment both in his long and distinguished career as a Police Surgeon and in his valued involvement in health promotion, managing sickness absence and recruitment of police officers and support staff in GMP.

Special Constabulary Third Bar for 40 years service
King George V instituted the Special Constabulary Medal in 1919 to mark the service rendered by members of the Special Constabulary. The medal is awarded to officers who have completed nine years service, during which time they have willingly and without pay, discharged the duties of a Special Constable. Thereafter for each 10 years service a bar and subsequent bars are awarded to the medal. It is also a requirement that the candidate shall have been recommended by the Chief Officer of Police.

Recipient:
Chief Inspector Bernice Woods

Bernice joined the Lancashire Special Constabulary on August 24 1969 and was posted to Rochdale where she has spent all of her service. She started at Rochdale Town Hall on the switchboard before her uniform was ready. She then moved to Middleton where she stayed for 25 years. Bernice was promoted to Section Officer (Special Constabulary Sergeant) 3rd August 1987 and then to Sub Divisional Officer (Special Constabulary Inspector) on the 30th October 1989. On promotion to Divisional Commandant at Rochdale Bernice moved to the Rochdale divisional headquarters. As well as her duties at Rochdale, Bernice worked at Sedgley Park for over ten years, alongside other Special Constabulary officers, in the training of new recruits to the Special Constabulary prior to their attestation and also on the attestation evenings.

The following officers were awarded their Long Service and Good Conduct Medals for 22 years service:

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, Force Command
Inspector Paul Philbin, Rochdale Division
Sergeant Andrew Dewar, Counter Terrorist Unit
Sergeant Iain Foulkes, Professional Standards Branch
Constable Jane Cashinella-Vaughan, People and Development Branch
Constable John Bouch, Operational Communications Branch
Constable John Steven Wroe, People and Development Branch
Constable Deana Walker, People and Development Branch

Catering Assistant, Diane Maudsley and Training Coordinator, Deborah Connolly were recognised for having completed 30 years service with Greater Manchester Police and received a framed certificate, lapel badge and voucher.
Receiving a framed certificate and lapel badge for 20 years service were:

Clerk and Word Process Operator, Amanda Burke
Administration Assistant, Joanne Schofield
Medical Receptionist Sheila Thornton