Awards have been given out to police officers, police staff and members of the public for going above and beyond to protect Isle of Wight communities at a ceremony in Newport.
The Isle of Wight Area Commander’s Awards was hosted by Superintendent Rob Mitchell at the Newport Congregational Church on the evening of Thursday 7th November 2024.
Supt Mitchell welcomed a number of special guests at the event, including Chief Constable Scott Chilton, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Susan Sheldon, and Isle of Wight High Sheriff Graham Biss.
Attendees heard of the bravery and dedication of not only police officers and staff from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, but of selfless members of the public who came to the aid of others in their time of need.
Members of the police service were also recognised for their tenacious attitude towards investigating offences on the Island, and assisting victims of crime.
A number of police officers and staff were also awarded their Police Long Service Awards or retirement certificates.
Keep an eye on the Isle of Wight Police Facebook page where we will be highlighting a selection of case studies from the ceremony throughout this week, starting today by showcasing awards that went to members of the public for two separate incidents.
Quick-thinking and teamwork
The first relates to an incident on 8th September this year, in which a man was witnessed behaving in an alarming manner in Marks and Spencer. When police arrived, it was established that the man was suffering from Acute Behavioural Disorder (ABD). ABD is a medical emergency and often results in the subject being extremely aggressive with excessive strength.
Police officers were struggling to restrain the man in a safe manner. Members of staff, with the support of a customer in the store, assisted in restraining the man until emergency medical intervention could be provided.
Neethirajan Subramanium, Emily Murphy and Karl Meech were all awarded the Area Commander’s Certificate of Congratulations in recognition of their quick-thinking and teamwork in helping to detain and safeguard a man with ABD.
![Supt Rob Mitchell pictured with [L-R] Neethirajan Subramanium, Emily Murphy and Karl Meech](https://onthewight.com/wp-content/2024/11/Supt-Rob-Mitchell-pictured-with-L-R-Neethirajan-Subramanium-Emily-Murphy-and-Karl-Meech.jpg)
Quick-thinking, patience and compassion
The second award we are highlighting today relates to an incident on 6th September this year. Charlotte Fisher was at Freshwater Bay cliffs when she encountered someone in crisis and on the cliff edge.
Charlotte had been out running and when she saw this person, she called police and stayed with the individual for several hours in cold and windy conditions, including remaining with them after police arrived. Eventually, the person came away from the edge and back to safety.
At the awards ceremony, Charlotte was awarded the Area Commander’s Certificate of Congratulations for her quick-thinking, patience and compassion which led to another member of the public being brought to safety from a dangerous situation.
Mitchell: I can’t be anything but impressed by the stories of courage and compassion
Speaking at the ceremony, Isle of Wight Area Commander, Superintendent Rob Mitchell, said,
“This is the fourth awards evening I have been to since becoming the Commander for the Isle of Wight, and I can’t be anything but impressed by the stories of courage and compassion that have come from a real collection of people on the Island.
“Not only have I heard from police officers and staff who have given thirty years plus of dedicated service to the public and policing as a whole, we’ve had officers who have gone above and beyond what we as leaders would expect of them, saving lives and putting their own selves at risk to look after vulnerable members of the public.
“We’ve also had members of the public here that have dealt with challenging situations and supported vulnerable people. It brings that adage to mind that the police are the public and the public are the police, and as always we can’t keep the Isle of Wight safe through policing alone – we need communities and partners to support us. Tonight was a chance to hear those stories and thank those involved – I’m extremely pleased and extremely proud.”
News shared by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, in their own words. Ed
