Life-saving Fed member shares delight at attending awards ceremony

13 July 2024

A Dyfed Powys Police Federation member says it was ‘really special’ to be honoured among fellow officers at the national Police Bravery Awards in London.

PC Rhodri Jones was nominated for the Region 7 Bravery Award after he saved a woman and her dog who fell 20 feet down a reservoir dam.

Rhodri lowered himself down onto an overflow gantry of the Caban Coch Dam in the Elan Valley, then leaped onto a sluice the woman and dog were stranded on. The cop belly-crawled along the sluiceway, made extremely slippery by rainfall, in order to reach the pair with a throwline and pull them to a safer position.

The rescue was then completed by the fire service, who extracted the victims after Rhodri had secured and waited with them for 20 minutes.

Speaking about the awards ceremony, Rhodri said: “It was a tremendous evening. You could tell everyone in the room was immensely proud of their achievements and it was great to see officers getting recognition for what they do.”

Recognised

Branch deputy secretary Ceris Davies attended the event on behalf of Dyfed Powys Police Federation discussed the importance of the event.

“The awards give the nominees that platform to be recognised. Sometimes, police officers themselves will play these things down by saying ‘I’ve just done my job’, but we all know it needs to be recognised that they go above and beyond,” said Ceris.

“It was an honour to attend this year's event on behalf of Dyfed Powys Police Federation. To hear so many inspirational stories from officers across England and Wales was something special.

“I hope Rhodri enjoyed his time in London, he really deserved it.”

Rhodri and wife, Ira, arrive at the Police Bravery Awards ceremony in London.

The awards evening, the 29th of its kind, was introduced by acting national chair for the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), Tiff Lynch.

She said: “Tonight, we will hear extraordinary stories of bravery. Officers who will say, ‘it’s just part of the job’, but it’s not just part of the job – it’s going above and beyond the requirements of the job, and tonight we get the chance to recognise and thank those officers.”

Present at the ceremony were the newly appointed Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, and policing minister, Dame Diana Johnson DBE, who both delivered speeches in praise of nominees’ courage and commitment.

Ms Cooper, who revealed this was the 14th bravery awards she has attended, said: “The reason I’ve attended so many Police Bravery Awards is because I think it’s so important to respect and recognise the work you do. 

“And because the stories are always so inspirational, often so difficult, the incredibly difficult situations you have faced. The extreme violence that you will have had to work towards, the dangerous rescues that so many of you have undertaken.”

Honour

The tribute came after she had been part of an exclusive Downing Street reception with nominees and guests earlier in the day, in what was the first official event hosted by members of the new UK Government after last week’s General Election.

Rhodri, who was joined in the capital by his wife, Ira, spoke about the privilege of attending the reception and being addressed by a Member of Parliament.

“It was a great honour to be at Downing Street and it was a lovely morning. The Home Secretary said some inspirational words about what officers do on a daily basis and the courage everyone shows time and time again,” he added.

The Region 7 category was won by a team from North Wales Police. Overall winners on the night were two Metropolitan Police members, PCs Alannah Mulhall and Joe Gerrard, who picked up the title for their heroics in protecting the public n Leicester Square despite being stabbed multiple times.

The ceremony’s host was TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith, with Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington among the guests.

The annual event is organised by the PFEW and is sponsored by Police Mutual.

READ MORE: New Home Secretary thanks brave officers during reception at No 10.