PS Laura Black and PC Ian Balmer - Apprehension of a High Profile and Dangerous Offender

15 March 2024

The above officers are being recognised at the forthcoming Cleveland Police Federation Bravery Awards 21^st March 24.

On 16th August 2023 PS Black and PC Balmer reported for duty in their roles as authorised firearms officers. Unbeknown to them, they would shortly be involved in the apprehension of a high profile criminal and would both need hospital treatment for injuries incurred in the incident.

A well known and high profile offender had been wanted by Police for a few days after they and others, committed an offence which involved the discharge of a firearm. This offender was a massive risk to the public and officers trying to hunt for him.

Due to a sighting, PS Black and PC Balmer, along with other officers were deployed to the area with firearms authority granted due to the risk this offender posed.

PS Black and PC Balmer arrived in the area and during the search for the vehicle containing the offender, it emerged from a junction a distance in front of their vehicle, travelling at speed. This vehicle had no intention of stopping for the officers and the offender had previously shown that they will do anything they possibly can to evade arrest, including inflicting harm on the public and Police.

The officers were faced with what some would describe as an impossible decision, but more to the point, had a split second to make this decision.

Let the vehicle and offender go and then what would certainly follow, would be a pursuit of a highly dangerous offender, that would put all other officers and the public at risk, along with the risk that the offender would escape again, or

Put an end to the situation now, which would involve putting themselves at a massive risk of injury, but with the most chance of a successful arrest and reducing the risk this offender poses to the public.

The officers decided to try and bring this incident to a close. They manoeuvred their vehicle to make tactical contact with the suspect vehicle. This manoeuvre was carried out successfully and the suspect vehicle was brought to a stop. Extensive damage was caused to both vehicles and air bags were deployed. Both officers received injuries that would later require hospital treatment.

Despite these injuries, both officers still got out of their vehicle and detained one of the suspects. All other suspects were detained by other officers nearby.

The dynamic actions of PS Black and PC Balmer in this incident resulted in the arrest of a highly dangerous offender, along with his accomplices, who had already discharged a firearm and posed an enormous risk to the public.

Police Officers routinely disregard their own safety to protect others and the communities they serve. Cleveland Police Federation is very humbled and privileged to recognise the acts of bravery and courage they carry out.