TEN Chief Constable’s Commendations, eight Royal Humane Society Awards, a Crown Court Commendation and one Waley Cohen Certificate, which is awarded to members of the public for their support of law and order, were presented to police officers, staff and members of the public in Somerset last week.

They recognised outstanding work and actions in saving lives, detecting crime and the flooding of 2014, and were presented at Hestercombe House near Taunton.

Acting Chief Constable John Long said: “There are some really inspiring stories to be heard this afternoon.”

High Sheriff of Somerset Richard Lloyd, who presented the awards to members of the public, said: “It is an honour for me to give my congratulations to the recipients of these awards; the quick-thinking, bravery and intelligence they have shown has been outstanding.”

Below are some of the winners from the Taunton area:

Robert Boyland, of Massingham Park, Taunton was awarded the Waley-Cohen Certificate for his quick thinking at the end of August 2014, whilst PC Patrick Brimmer was also awarded with a Chief Constable’s Commendation.

PC Brimmer was called to a bridge over the M5 where a woman was looking as if she was about to jump.

He instinctively grabbed her but was on his own and only able to pin her against the railings with his arms.

Mr Boyland was driving over the motorway bridge and offered PC Brimmer help.

With no thought for his own safety Mr Boyland helped PC Brimmer pull the female back over the railings to safety.

PC Brimmer said he was on the scene within a moment of receiving the call so didn’t have too much time to think before acting. “

My concern was that if she was going to jump, she was not only going to put her life in danger but also risking the safety of traffic on the motorway. I’m very thankful that Rob was there that day.”

Mr Boyland said he was really proud to be receiving the award.

“I was on my lunch break at the time and going back to work when he saw a woman walking along the bridge,” he said.

“I kept looking back and realised that something wasn’t right. I turned around and wasn’t sure what I was doing but the adrenaline and instinct took over.”

He approached the woman and spoke to her, trying to get her back over the right side of the railings.

When PC Brimmer arrived, Mr Boyland decided to leave the scene and let the police do their work, when he got back to the vehicle he looked back and was unable to see PC Brimmer or the woman.

“I thought they had both fallen and ran quickly back. At this moment everything became a blur. It became a tug of war, as the lady was intent on going over the bridge so we worked together to bring the lady back to the right side of the rails.”

Royal Humane Society (RHS) awards were presented to officers and members of the public from across Somerset, recognising acts of bravery in the saving of human lives.

Two Taunton officers, PC Andy Candy and PC Carol Lord were congratulated by Musgrove Hospital consultants for their quick actions with excellent resuscitation and use of defibrillator, which had saved a man’s life in March 2014 when his pacemaker failed.

They said the quality of the life-saving treatment meant his blood oxygen levels when he arrived at hospital were far higher than would ever be expected.

He had collapsed in the High Street and the passing officers took over from bystanders who had placed him in the recovery position until help arrived.

PC Lord said: “I’d been trained on the defibrillator a couple of years earlier but it was the first time I had used it.

"We felt very depended upon because this man was in a very serious condition and there were about 30 or 40 people around us watching every move, but the training just kicked in.”

After making a full recovery, the man in his 80s met the two officers to thank them. 

Chief Constable’s Commendations were given to several people who played a vital role in the policing operation during the flooding in 2014.

Chief Superintendent Caroline Peters received the award her role as Gold Commander during the floods. Zoe Hebden, Avon and Somerset Police Corporate Communications Manager, who played a crucial role in using the media to keep the flood affected communities informed throughout.

Others recognised included T/Insp Elaine Linham, PC Rob Jacobs, and Stephen Mulvihill, contingency planning officer.

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “It’s always a pleasure to come to an award ceremony and hear about some of the exceptional work that officers, staff and members of the public have been involved in.

"I congratulate everyone who has received an award today and I hope they realise what a credit they are to Avon and Somerset Police.”