Met honours unsung heroes

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has paid tribute to the professionalism and dedication of many unsung heroes who worked behind the scenes following the July 2005 London bombings and the Asian Tsunami in a special ceremony.

On May 4, more than 70 Met officers and staff were joined by colleagues from other UK forces to be presented with Commissioner’s Commendations for their extraordinary work.

The ceremony, at the Met`s training school at the Peel Centre in Hendon, was also attended by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and Metropolitan Police Authority Deputy Chair Reshard Auladin along with family members and friends of those being honoured.

It brings the total number of officers and staff receiving awards for their part in the response to the Asian Tsunami and the London bombings of July 7 2005 to more than 350.

Sir Ian Blair said: “I am proud of each and every one of our staff, from first responders to those whose work is essential further down the line.

“They have a tough job to do in difficult and often extreme circumstances and this ceremony is all about recognising that and saying ‘thank you’ not just to them, but also to the families and friends who support them.”

Whilst the two previous awards ceremonies mainly focused on the bravery and professionalism of those involved in the immediate aftermath of the July 7 attacks, these awards give recognition to those whose work was vital in the days and weeks that followed, many of them in behind-the-scenes roles.

MPS recipients include detectives, uniformed officers and support staff. Non MPS colleagues recognised for their assistance during the unprecedented murder enquiry following July 7 are from Greater Manchester Police, Hampshire Constabulary and Cheshire Constabulary.

Sergeant David Conyers, PC Clive Knight, PC Trevo Michael and Detective Sergeant Alan Hasler were commended for their actions following the bombings and for outstanding professionalism, commitment and dedication to duty.

Staff of the Video Laboratory Team were also commended for their professionalism and dedication to duty following the bombings.

Also honoured was Chris Black, Qantas station manager at Heathrow Terminal 4, who provided invaluable assistance to the Tsunami relief effort, allowing police and other agencies to set up a reception centre following the disaster.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: “On behalf of all Londoners I want to thank these unsung heroes who worked tirelessly behind the scenes following both the July 7 atrocities and the tragic devastation of the Asian Tsunami.

“I have no doubt that, without the dedication and hard work of the police and other emergency services, the toll of deaths and serious injuries in both cases would have been far greater.”