Fed member reflects on ‘surreal but amazing’ Bravery Award nomination

6 July 2026

A Derbyshire Police officer who displayed exceptional courage to provide life-saving treatment to a man who was repeatedly stabbing himself has described her nomination for a Bravery Award as ‘surreal’.

The actions of PC Louisa Anderson, a former combat medic, have been described as ‘policing at its very best’ after she saved the life of the man during a mental health incident.

Louisa said: "It's very surreal.

“You don't think too much of it at the time, you just think that anyone would have done it.

“And then my nomination was made public and put on social media, and everyone's been contacting me – all my family, friends, people from the army I've not seen for years.

 

PC Louisa Anderson

 

“It's amazing how big it's gone.

“People saying they're proud of me, you're always doing good things, which is amazing, but it's just surreal.”

The incident happened in Sinfin, Derby on 21 June 2025, when Louisa attended the address with a colleague to assist with the execution of a warrant.

On arrival, the officers were told that nothing had been heard from inside the flat and it was decided to drill the lock to gain entry.

As the officers attempted to open the door, they found it had been barricaded from the inside.

Stabbing himself

It meant they could only open the door a few inches initially, which prevented them from getting a clear view.

The officers applied more pressure and created a wider gap through which they could see a man repeatedly stabbing himself.

Louisa is a former combat medic in the Royal Army Medical Corps and has advanced medical training.

She drew on her expertise and assessed that the man was at risk of a catastrophic bleed and needed immediate attention.

Louisa is also firearms trained and, after drawing her Taser and issuing a warning, discharged through the narrow gap in the door. The deployment was successful, and the man fell backwards.

Louisa used the opportunity to remove her body armour to squeeze through the opening and enter the flat.

However, as she reached the man, the Taser cycle ended and he resumed stabbing himself.

First aid

Louisa re-energised the Taser to protect herself and prevent the man continuing to hurt himself, safely disarming him.

She then gave life-saving first aid while the scene was brought under control.

Louisa said: “When I looked through that door, and with what I was seeing, you know you have to act.

“You don't think it's just a snap into action; something needs to happen here.

“Then the rest is just training, which kicks in

“You just think ‘right, I need to stop that. How? Taser.

“’Now, I've Tasered him, I've got five seconds. I need to do something. What? Get this kit off, and get in.

“It's our training. We do get a hell of a lot of it on firearms, so I can't take the credit for that, because we are very well trained.”

Nomination

Louisa’s actions have earned her a nomination for the Police Federation of England and Wales Bravery Awards, which will be held later this month.

She will attend with her partner PC Sarah Ellis, of Derbyshire Police dog unit, and said they are ‘mega excited’ about it.

Louisa said: "We had a meeting with the Fed and they gave us our itinerary, and it's absolutely amazing.

"First-class tickets to London, which is brilliant, then we get to go to Parliament, Downing Street, a river cruise, drinks, food, and then the awards evening itself where the Chief Constable will be there.

"We're mega excited about it."

Branch secretary Chris Parker said: “Louisa’s courage and presence of mind in an extremely difficult and dangerous situation were exemplary.

“She demonstrated exceptional bravery, calm judgement and selflessness, putting the welfare of another above her own.

Bravery Awards

“Louisa's response to the dynamic and challenging circumstances presented to her has saved a life.

“This represents policing at its very best and is exactly what the Police Bravery Awards exist to recognise.”

Chief Constable Rachel Swann said: “Louisa showed outstanding courage and compassion in an extremely difficult and fast-moving situation.

“Her actions saved this man’s life. The outcome could have been very different if she had not shown tremendous bravery by removing her body armour to squeeze through a narrow gap, immediately engaging with the man to get the knife away from him.

“She then carried out lifesaving medical care. These are not decisions any officer ever expects to make.

“Louisa used her training, courage and compassion to do everything she could to help someone in need. We are incredibly proud of her.”