A lifesaving Special who shimmied across balconies five storeys up to reach a seriously unwell man and an officer who helped bring an individual in cardiac arrest back to life are among the latest colleagues to be celebrated at a Hertfordshire Constabulary awards ceremony. 

Last month (May), new Hertfordshire Deputy Chief Constable Andy Mariner hosted his first in force awards event. He was joined by Chief Superintendents Ruth Dodsworth and Nev Hanks, Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards, along with local dignitaries Vice Lord Lieutenant Anthony Chapman and High Sherriff Nicholas Buxton.

DCC Mariner said: "As I get to grips with how everything works here in Team Herts I have already been impressed with the sheer dedication of our officers, staff and volunteers, so it was great to be able to formally recognise some of your life-saving and courageous work last week.

"I look forward to meeting more of our outstanding officers and staff at these events and handing out many more awards."

The Royal Humane Society is a charity that present awards for acts of bravery in the saving of a human life and also for the restoration of life by resuscitation.

The following awards have been presented for contributing to the saving or attempted saving of a life. 

Special Inspector Andrew Masson and Special Constable James Berry, based in Stevenage

In September 2024, these volunteer police officers, who give up their spare time to serve the public, responded to a concern for the welfare call. A Stevenage woman had called police to say her elderly neighbour had left his balcony door open which was highly unusual. 

When the officers arrived, they could see that there was a body lying inside the flat but had no way of gaining entry. The officers knew that they needed to enter as a matter of urgency. 

Special Inspector Masson was able to climb over a partition between the balconies on the fifth floor of the building. This required courage as well as absolute trust and reliance on the officers he was with, including Special Constable James Berry, as he had to be pulled inwards by his colleagues whilst he shimmied around the upright balcony divider.  

This teamwork and bravery enabled a quick entry where they were faced with a seriously unwell occupant.

The officers remained calm and professional at all times, arranging for paramedics to attend, making marathon efforts up and down 10 flights of stairs to collect first aid equipment from their vehicle and providing first aid to the occupant, who was later taken to the hospital.  

The stepdaughter of the man commended the officers for their care and kindness.   

At a meeting of the Royal Humane Society, it was unanimously decided to award Special Inspector Andrew Masson with a Testimonial on Vellum and Special Constable James Berry with a Certificate of Commendation.  

In July last year, a 62-year-old man went into sudden cardiac arrest at a coffee shop in Letchworth.

An off-duty nurse provided initial CPR and officers, including PC Samuel Strudwick, quickly responded and carried out CPR. Ambulance crews also attended and together they managed to restart the patient's heart.

Samuel and the officers stayed to assist the paramedics and helped move the patient onto a stretcher so he could be taken to hospital for further treatment. 

At a meeting of the Royal Humane Society, it was unanimously decided to award PC Samuel Strudwick with a Resuscitation Certificate. The off-duty nurse and other officers involved have already been recognised for the part they played and have received awards. 

During the awards event on Thursday May 29, the following officers and staff were presented with Long Service and Good Conduct Medals:

Chief Inspector Kio Bozorgi

PC Tanya Bainbridge-Price

Detective Sergeant Anthony Hooper

Detective Constable Neil Crosier

Detective Sergeant Robert King

Detective Constable Rebecca Marsh

Detective Chief Inspector Michael Birch

Police Staff Sophia Elevique