Officers pulled woman out of treacherous river

12 November 2021

Four Derbyshire police officers who risked their lives to rescue a woman from a treacherous stretch of the River Derwent have been nominated for a national bravery award.

PCs Joshua Dales, Richard Deakin, Max Freeman and an officer we cannot name saved the woman after she was spotted in the water close to the Council House in Derby city centre in April last year.

They have been put forward for the Police Federation’s Police Bravery Awards 2021 for their life-saving intervention.

The officers’ citation said the woman was spotted in the river, which has dangerous underwater currents, close to a deep weir on 20 April 2020.

“The water coming over the weir has been described as acting like a washing machine and is extremely dangerous,” said Tony Wetton, chair of Derbyshire Police Federation.

“The female was also close to a sluice which leads to turbine blade and she and the officers could have been dragged into the sluice.

“The officers entered the water to help her but at first she resisted their rescue attempts and actually tried to move further across the weir before being pulled to the side and rescued.”

Tony has praised the officers, three of whom are based at St Mary’s Wharf Police Station in the city, while one is based on the Uniform Task Force within Operations Division.

“I’ve nothing but admiration for the brave actions of our colleagues in successfully rescuing this lady in extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances,” he said.

“They put themselves in harm’s way to save and protect others, despite the risks involved. They’re very worthy nominees and we wish them good luck for the awards evening.”

PC Deakin has 13 years’ service, PC Freeman has five years’ service and PC Dales has been with the Force for three years.

They will join nominees from across England and Wales at the Police Bravery Awards which will be held in London in December.