Police officer awarded for outstanding work

Sgt Muller with Chief Constable Peter Fahy

A police officer who lives in Rochdale has received a Chief Constable's Commendation for his work over the years in helping to prevent suicides and resolve other crisis situations.

Detective Sergeant Phil Muller joined Greater Manchester Police in 1974, and after filling a number of posts he joined the Hostage and Crisis Negotiation unit in 2001.

During his time there, Mr Muller has dramatically increased the profile and efficiency of a unit that contains 35 officers who carry out the role of negotiator as well as their normal duties.

He also runs an internationally recognised course on handling different types of crisis that is attended by officers from around the world.

Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Shenton of Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Crime Division said: “Phil is the most experienced crisis negotiator in the country and his grasp of the job is without comparison. Since April 2004 he has been involved in around 250 negotiations including incidents such as kidnap, extortion, sieges and suicide interventions.

“Phil has contributed greatly to our ongoing success of never having a fatality following the deployment of a hostage negotiator, and as he will be retiring soon his experience will not be easily replaced.

“Put simply, he has saved more individual lives than any other GMP officer, and his inspirational leadership and outstanding commitment is thoroughly deserving of this award.”