Police heroes recognised at awards ceremony

Former PC Stephen Splaine with Catherine Mitchell and Greater Manchester Police's Chief Constable, Peter Fahy

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Officers who tackled a violent and wanted man armed with a knife were among officers and staff awarded at Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale Division Awards.

Greater Manchester Police's Chief Constable, Peter Fahy presented officers, staff and members of the public with medals and certificates for long service, outstanding work and bravery at the ceremony at Rochdale Town Hall.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali and Shaheen Akthar hosted the event and Rochdale Division's Chief Superintendent John O’Hare performed as Master of Ceremonies. Guests included family and friends of the award recipients.

Former Constable Stephen Splaine who retired from the Pennine Neighbourhood Policing Team this year, received a Chief Constable’s Commendation for his life saving skills.

On 22 June 2007, Cathy Mitchell was crossing Todmorden Road in Littleborough when she was hit by an already banned, speeding motorcyclist. Cathy was trapped under a car with severe, life threatening injuries. Constable Splaine’s cool, calm and swift actions, as well as his skills, saved Cathy's life.

PC Splaine was on duty and driving a marked police car when he came across the accident. He saw the motorcyclist, who was conscious and speaking and realised that Cathy needed his care immediately. A nurse was already there but was struggling to give first aid due to Cathy being trapped. PC Splaine was able to manouevre underneath and gave her essential first aid before finally moving her to safety. Cathy had serious head injuries, bleeding, a broken right femur and various other internal and external injuries.

When PC Splaine visited Cathy sometime later she told him that she has had a voice in her head since the accident, telling her that she would be okay and that the voice was his. He said this was one of the proudest yet most humbling moments of his career.

After such an incident is is normal to for an officer to move onto to the next job without maintaining further contact. However, PC Splaine has shown great dedication to Cathy and has been in touch ever since, assisting her in her long and painful recovery. The injuries she maintained will be with her for life.

Marjorie Mitchell, Cathy’s mother, has campaigned for this recognition as she believes that not only did Stephen save her daughter’s life but has gone beyond his call of duty in becoming invaluable support for the whole family.

Former Inspector Martin Jeffs, also received a Chief Constable’s Commendation for his role in bringing a man to justice who murdered his wife in a foreign country.

In August 2004 a woman was murdered by her husband of three months at their home in Zimbabwe. They had moved there from the Greater Manchester area in 1999 and had a stormy relationship plagued by domestic violence. The man had claimed that his wife was depressed and had committed suicide.

The man was arrested but fled to the UK when he was bailed, where he boasted about his escape from justice and the inheritance he would receive. This was made worse for the family as they lived within the same community.

As the family received the woman’s body back home for burial, the death then came into the reach of the British Criminal Justice system. This started a four year long investigation that eventually led to the man being sentenced to life imprisonment.

The case presented many hurdles, a murder abroad, a hostile foreign government, poor forensic examination, witnesses with who contact was lost and who had since moved to other countries.

Inspector Jeffs and the team efforts and the hardships they endured abroad were vindicated at the outcome of the trial. The woman’s family and residents in the couple’s former community, were reassured by the lengths to which the officers went to secure a conviction

Constables Mark Lutkevitch and Russell Warburton, both from the Rochdale Division, received a Chief Constable’s High Commendation for their bravery when tackling a violent offender who was armed with a knife.

In December last year Constables Lutkevitch and Warburton were tasked to go to an address to arrest a wanted man, who had failed to appear at court. PC Lutkevitch went to the front door as he had dealt with this man before. PC Warburton went round the back in case he tried to escape.

PC Lutkevitch knocked and a woman opened the door with the wanted man stood behind her. The man then launched himself at PC Lutkevitch with a knife and tried to stab him. The officer jumped back and hit the man to defend himself. They struggle violently and PC Lutkevitch finally managed to knock the knife from the man’s hand.

However, he still struggled and PC Warburton, who had run from the back shouted “Police Officer with a taser”. Following a struggle PC Lutkevitch was finally able to handcuff him.

He was charged with affray, police assault and possession of an offensive weapon. 

Sergeants Stephen Hanlon, Paul Hayden, David Lloyd, and Philip Steele along with Constable Julian Peach were awarded their Long Service and Good Conduct Medals for 22 years service.

Enquiry Counter Officer, Eileen Gleave, was recognised for having completed 20 years service with Greater Manchester Police on the Rochdale Division. Rochdale’s Volume Crime Scene Supervisor, Colette Harris-Jones and The Business Transfer and Projects Officer, Billa Duggal also received their 20 years Long Service Certificates. 

Chief Superintendent O’Hare said: “This was an enjoyable ceremony, acknowledging the commitment and service by officers and staff and gave us the opportunity to recognise the dedication and bravery of our officers.”