Scotland’s police officers recognised for acts of ‘bravery and dedicated service’

The incidents include a team that rescued an abducted baby from a dangerous drugs den, a police constable who risked her life saving people from a mudslide during Storm Babet, and an officer who nearly died as he prevented a woman from falling to her death from a clifftop.

A total of 29 officers, including constables, sergeants, detectives and inspectors, have been shortlisted in six categories for the Scottish Police Federation’s annual awards.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell praised their “bravery, dedication, skill and professionalism”.

Among those nominated are PCs Aidan McAllister, Graeme Sewell and Kyle Whitelaw, who rescued a stolen baby from a drugs den in West Lothian, fighting off a dangerous dog.

The officers were responding to reports of an intoxicated man wandering late at night while holding a baby in Fauldhouse last September.

They had to force their way in past an aggressive Alsatian but eventually found the crying baby, who was inside the “pitch black” house strewn with knives, bats and other weapons.

Two of the officers were injured during the incident, with the man who abducted the baby later charged with a range of crimes. The child was safely returned to its mother.

The constables have been nominated for the team bravery prize, which also features four PCs from Glasgow who formed a human chain in the River Clyde to save the life of an intoxicated woman who entered the water on New Year’s Day.

PCs Kevin Grant, Chloe Hynes, William McLevy and Claire Melia were first on the scene and realised they had to enter the water to save the woman, who was hanging onto a tree to keep her head above the surface.

After getting her safely to shore, all four officers were admitted to hospital, with colleagues praising their “heroic actions” that had undoubtedly saved her life.

Three officers have also been shortlisted for the individual bravery award, including PC Sally Ann Nicol, who almost died saving people from a landslide triggered by Storm Babet in October last year.

As she waded through mud to help motorists stranded on the A83 in Argyll and Bute, the conditions became so bad she thought she was going to drown as the “hills moved”.

After warning fellow officers not to follow her due to the risk to their lives, she implemented an evacuation plan for several members of the public.

Witnesses reported hearing “a loud rumbling” as avalanches of mud descended towards the group, before they were rescued by helicopter.

“Each time she heard that noise she wondered if this would be the one that washed them all away,” said PS Brian Simpson, who nominated her for the award.

Nominated in the same category is PC Kieran Ritson, who risked his life rescuing a suicidal woman as she was inches away from a cliff edge in Arbroath.

Officers on the scene said she was “quite literally inches” from falling off the 60ft drop, but PC Ritson calmly engaged her in conversation and then removed her from danger.

After his life-saving exploits, the young officer said his actions were merely “what we do”.

Other nominees include PC Steven Donald, who is shortlisted in the community commitment category after he started a football initiative in Dundee that has helped to reduce youth disorder and improve relations between young people and the force.

The constable was pivotal in starting up Street Soccer FC in the city, a weekly event to encourage teenagers to play sport on a Friday evening instead of causing trouble.

PC Donald abandoned his rest days and altered his shifts to ensure he could play an active role at all of the sessions, which take place in City Square.

Also recognised for his long service to policing in Edinburgh is Detective Sergeant Todd Rutherford, who has worked on some of the capital’s most serious and high profile cases over 30 years of service.

Shortlisted in the cops’ cop of the year category, Det Sgt Rutherford is described by colleagues as a “true gent and family man” who has been a mentor for other officers despite his own demanding job.

“The attention to detail, enthusiasm and perseverance shown to every crime he has investigated is above and beyond,” said Detective Constable Christina Yeoman, who nominated him.

The awards ceremony will be held at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on Wednesday (November 27), with a keynote address being delivered by Justice Secretary Angela Constance.

In attendance will be Police Scotland’s chief constable, Scottish Police Federation chair David Threadgold, Scottish Police Authority chair Martyn Evans, and Les Gray from sponsors Philip Williams.

Mr Threadgold said: “Reading through the nominations for this year’s awards is a humbling experience and demonstrates the extraordinary bravery and commitment shown by our officers.

“The situations dealt with by police serving our communities can sometimes be extremely dangerous, and none of us should ever take what they do for granted.

“Our annual awards are a moment to recognise those who go above and beyond to keep the public safe with dignity and resolve, before coming back to work to do it all again.

“We are incredibly proud of all the nominees and are grateful to each of them for their amazing achievements. They are a credit to themselves and to Scottish policing.”

Ms Farrell added: “The bravery, dedication, skill and professionalism of our officers is hugely impressive and I thank the Scottish Police Federation for shining a light on some of their outstanding work.

“These awards are an important night in the policing calendar, when we recognise and celebrate our officers for their vital public service.

“I thank all officers and their families for everything they do for policing and our communities and offer warm congratulations to nominees and recipients.”