May 25, 20222 min read

Reading Commanders’ Commendation Ceremony May 2022

12:45 17/05/2022

On Monday evening (16/5), Reading police station hosted the Commanders’ Commendation Ceremony, celebrating the hard work and achievements of police officers, staff and members of the public.

Awards were presented to officers, staff and the public, recognising the contributions they have made to the community.

Some of the work undertaken by these brave people includes efforts to save the lives of others, apprehend offenders and help those who are most vulnerable.

A member of Police Staff, Beth Jones, was commended for helping an ill elderly man who was stopped in the middle of a busy road. She ensured he got home safely and went above and beyond by organising subsequent welfare checks and a referral to social services.

PCSO Steve Smith was commended for his work in building a strong and positive rapport with a hard to reach community within Reading. His work resulted in vital intelligence being shared about a planned protest.

Police Constable Jenna Caswell was commended for her actions in saving a life of a member of the public who collapsed at the wheel. She conducted CPR until the ambulance arrived to take them to hospital.

A Reading Business Improvement District Warden was commended for their support in helping to locate an offender of a robbery and provide consistent and exceptional levels of support to Thames Valley Police.

A member of the public, two Special Police Constables and three Police Constables were commended for their involvement in assisting a victim of a stabbing.

The victim suffered severe injuries and the quick actions of the team, by providing first aid and a tourniquet, almost certainly assisted in the preservation of this victim’s life.

Two Police Constables were commended for their involvement in apprehending a violent man who was carrying a large knife. They remained calm throughout and acted with professionalism and bravery.

A Police Sergeant, four Police Constables and a Special Police Constable were commended for their part of a team that helped negotiate a person to safety following a mental health episode. Their professionalism, expertise and ability to stay calm in a crisis resulted in the member of the public being moved to safety with minimum disruption to everyone else in the area.

A Police Constable and four Detective Constables were commended for their hard work in planning, organising and executing a drugs warrant that resulted in the seizure of a handmade firearm and an amount of class A drugs. The quality and detail of their investigation resulted in the offender being sentenced to nine and half years in prison.

Reading Local Policing Area Commander, Supt Steve Raffield, said:

“I would like to say a huge thank you to all our winners tonight. It is a privilege to be able to recognise all of your outstanding hard work and achievements. “The awards that have been presented this evening make me proud to police Reading and I believe demonstrate what a great sense of community we have.”