Bravery and commitment of officers recognised at Scottish Police Federation Awards

The national awards recognised the bravery and commitment of Scotland’s police officers.

Five winners were announced during the awards ceremony, celebrating both individual and team acts of bravery, as well as officers’ remarkable dedication to their communities and colleagues.

A special Chair’s Award was also handed to Sergeant David Marr, who tackled a man threatening to burn down a Glasgow restaurant in a ‘Die Hard’ style intervention while he was off-duty.

A police constable who was badly injured after being struck with a metal dumbbell when she was called out to check on vulnerable children was named Cops’ Cop of the Year.

Another award was handed to a campus officer hailed as a role model for local schoolchildren in Glenrothes, Fife, after running taekwondo classes for youngsters in his spare time.

And Jennie MacFarlane, a Scottish Police Federation representative in Glasgow, was given the Unsung Hero award for her long-term commitment to fighting for her colleagues’ rights.

Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone, Justice Secretary Keith Brown and David Hamilton, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, were among those presenting the awards.

The winners were:

Individual Bravery Award – Katy Mackay (Inverness): Probationary officer who restrained violent man after he knocked out her colleague in Inverness.

Team Bravery – Rachael Hendry, Christopher Smart, Nikki Smith, David Jones (Edinburgh): Quick-thinking constables administered life-saving treatment to armed man who threatened to ‘blow up’ block of flats in Edinburgh.

Community Commitment – Ross Fisher (Fife): campus officer who acts as a role model to local children with taekwondo lessons

Cops’ Cop of the Year – Sarah Quick (Edinburgh): Police constable who was badly injured in metal bar attack as she tried to check on vulnerable children.

Unsung Hero – Jennie MacFarlane (Glasgow): A passionate local Federation rep’s long-term commitment to fighting for colleagues’ rights.

Chair’s Award – David Marr (Glasgow): Off-duty sergeant tackled man threatening to blow-up restaurant in ‘Die Hard’ intervention

David Hamilton, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “Our annual awards ceremony is designed to recognise the many characteristics that help make an outstanding police officer.

“This has included saving lives, protecting the public, supporting colleagues, and making the communities they serve safer.

“All of our winners are hugely deserving of their awards, every single one of this year’s nominees should be immensely proud of their achievements.

“Police officers continue to face unprecedented challenges, but we are pleased to be able to spotlight their incredible efforts and unashamedly celebrate the men and women who work so hard to keep Scotland safe.”

Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone QPM said: “Policing is a relentless and hugely rewarding vocation where you can help your fellow citizens and improve their lives.

“I thank everyone who steps forward with bravery and commitment to provide our vital policing service and pay tribute to the work of the Scottish Police Federation in representing their members.

“These awards vividly illustrate the crucial contributions officers make right across Scotland, day in, day out. The ceremony is an important event in the policing calendar when we recognise and celebrate officers and their families.”

Details of the events which led to the winners’ nomination:

Individual Bravery – Katy Mackay

Probationary officer PC Katy Mackay sprung into action to restrain a dangerous man who headbutted her colleague and knocked him unconscious.

PCs Mackay and her colleague were flagged down in Inverness by a member of the public after a taxi driver was assaulted in September last year.

They found a man acting aggressively and could see the taxi driver had sustained facial injuries.

The suspect was approached by the constables as he argued with members of the public nearby, with the officers taking hold of each arm to prevent him escaping.

He became aggressive and abusive, and, as the officers tried to arrest him and apply handcuffs, the man lunged forward and headbutted her colleague – causing him to lose consciousness for a short period.

PC Mackay continued to struggle with the man, who was considerably larger than her. She managed to draw her PAVA and gain control and restrain the suspect on the ground to handcuff him.

Her colleague was taken to hospital and diagnosed with severe concussion. He was off work for several months with severe post-concussion syndrome because of the assault.

Divisional rep Sergeant David McAlpine said: “PC Mackay was still a probationer and at the time of the incident with around 18 months of service.

“She showed great reserve and a ‘cool head’ as she managed to gain control of a male who was physically bigger and stronger than her.”

Team Bravery – Rachael Hendry, Christopher Smart, Nikki Smith and David Jones

In January this year, PCs Rachael Hendry and Christopher Smart were called to a city centre block of flats where a man was threatening to “blow up” the building.

The police constables immediately entered a property where the suspect, who was having a mental health episode, was armed with a large kitchen knife. He was also badly injured and had catastrophic bleeding from a severed artery.

PCs Hendry and Smart, along with PCs Nikki Smith and David Jones when they arrived on scene, managed to disarm the man, and provided emergency treatment that ultimately saved his life.

The group went on to help with a large-scale evacuation of the block, ensuring public safety.

At the time of the incident, PC Hendry was a probationary officer and had only been with her team for a few shifts.

Nominating officer Sergeant Stuart Powell said: “As a team, and working with partner agencies, lifesaving first aid was administered to the male, ultimately saving his life, whilst a large-scale evacuation of the residential building was coordinated ensuring the safety of the public.”

Community Commitment – Ross Fisher

School campus officer Ross Fisher was born and bred in Glenrothes and has become a role model for local children.

He covers the town’s three high schools and is well-known and respected by pupils and staff.

The police constable regularly supports youngsters who may be being bullied or are low in confidence, and often manages to identify and intervene in problems before they develop.

PC Fisher is also a black belt in Taekwondo and has run a local martial arts club in his free time for over 25 years, offering events outside of school for pupils to see the benefits of physical exercise while also widening their social circle and improving their confidence.

He encourages pupils to attend, and discreetly allows children to go along even if their families cannot afford to pay for the classes.

PC Fiona Johnston, who nominated PC Fisher, said: “Ross works as the schools’ liaison officer.

“This involves him attending and dealing with all police matters at the three local high schools.

“He engages with local youths outside his work, teaching Taekwondo, and ties the two roles together by encouraging youths from a more troubled or less affluent backgrounds to get involved in sport and local youth groups.”

Scottish Police Federation East Area Committee chair Graham Ross added: “He has made a huge contribution to the community and is exactly the kind of officer the service needs to connect with the public. He sums up the very best of Police Scotland.”

Cops’ Cop of the Year – Sarah Quick

Last December, PC Sarah Quick was seriously injured during a violent attack as she tried to check on the welfare of young children.

The officer was asked to attend after social workers had been denied access to see the youngsters, who were deemed “high-risk”.

When she arrived, PC Quick was threatened and the householders tried to slam the door closed against her.

Putting herself in harm’s way, she wedged herself in the door and was subjected to repeated punches and kicks from several men and women inside.

PC Quick was then battered over the head with a metal bar, knocking her down a flight of stairs and splitting her head open.

She picked herself up but was covered in blood and had suffered a very severe concussion.

The constable has been described as a “dedicated team player” with “determination and veracity”.

Nominating officer PC Calum Connelly said: “Despite this severe concussion having a significant limiting effect on her work and personal life for several months, Sarah was desperate to get back to full duties and had to be heavily encouraged and instructed by her team to take time to rest and recover before putting herself back in the line of danger.

“She is extremely deserving of an award and would be supported by all of her colleagues and bosses in receiving one.”

Unsung Hero – Jennie MacFarlane

Community policing sergeant Jennie MacFarlane has been praised for her dedication to standing up for colleagues.

The officer has been described as someone people can go to for any reason, whether it be work or personal matters.

She regularly gives up her free time and works non-stop to ensure that officers in her division have their welfare matters considered by senior management, while also keeping colleagues up to date with the latest guidance, allowances, and expenses.

Ms MacFarlane is also the main influence of the G Division Reps Twitter account, which now has over 4,500 followers.

She has continually served the Divisional Federation for 11 years after initially being voted in as part of Strathclyde Police, and subsequently at the inception of Police Scotland.

This is secondary to her ‘day job’ as a community policing sergeant in the Greater Glasgow area.

She takes a particular interest in equality issues and has represented and provided advice to countless officers.

Nominating officer Inspector Davie Taylor said: “We are both Fed reps in G Division and I have seen her work first hand in assisting others, particularly those in times of need.

“I see how much times she donates – especially her own personal time – to helping folk.

“Jennie is a rock to so many officers. It’s testament to her that virtually everyone who has been in contact with her sings her praises.”

Chair’s Award – David Marr

A hero off-duty cop tackled a man who claimed he was going to burn down a restaurant in what prosecutors likened to a scene from a blockbuster movie.

Police sergeant David Marr intervened after the man left customers terrified by clutching a jerry can while smoking and telling them he was going to blow up the building.

The incident, which happened at the Ashoka in Glasgow’s west end in May last year, saw Sgt Marr – who had been having lunch – step in and wrestle the erratic suspect to the ground.

When the case reached court, prosecutor Tanjeel Maleque told jurors that the events were “almost akin to a movie plot”, adding: “An off-duty police officer stepping up to save the day, it certainly has an air of Die Hard to it.

“The reality is this incident was not cinematic or enjoyable for those involved.”

Federation chair Mr Hamilton said Sgt Marr’s actions had ensured the public faced no further risk.

He said: “It is a great honour for me to present this award to Sgt Marr. He has shown the essence of what it is to be a police officer, stepping forward to protect the public, even when off duty.

“Police officers, and their families, never know when they can be called upon and Sgt Marr’s selflessness and commitment to protect the public should be recognised. He is truly deserving of this award.”