An off-duty officer who restrained a dangerous individual wielding an activated electric saw has been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025.

In the morning of 9 August 2023, Dorset PC Demar Rowe, while off duty and travelling to work, noticed a man walking in front of traffic and attempting to lie down on the road on Golf Links Road in Ferndown.

At this time the control room also received reports from members of public reporting a man had crashed his car into a traffic island near to Golf Links Road.

Due to the actions of the man, who appeared to be experiencing a mental health episode, PC Rowe pulled over in his vehicle over and went to speak to him.

PC Rowe noticed the man was extremely agitated and was fixated over a flat tyre on his vehicle, but he continued to try and reason with him and keep him away from the road and passers-by.

The man then walked back towards his vehicle, pulled out an electric saw from the rear of the vehicle and activated it. The blade of the saw was over a foot in length, and the man swung the saw around towards PC Rowe before turning it on to himself in an attempt to harm himself. At this time further reports were coming into the control room about the incident unfolding.

Despite having no protective equipment or handcuffs, PC Rowe knew he had to prevent the man from harming himself or other members of the public. He was acutely aware of a couple in their 70s who were walking a dog nearby and there was an increased sense of urgency in preventing the man causing harm. 

As he continued to shout and swing the electric saw around, PC Rowe noticed a decorating sheet in the back of the vehicle and used this to cover the man, distracting him enough so he could grapple the electric saw out of his hands and hold him in a bear hug grip to prevent him moving or being able to cause further injury to himself or others.

PC Rowe shouted he was an off-duty officer and for someone to call the police and at a short time later, another off-duty officer joined him. That officer had ensured members of public were out of harm’s way.

PC Rowe continue to restrain the man until marked units arrived on scene. The man was detained and taken to a hospital to receive the most appropriate care.

PC Rowe stated after the incident he had never been so happy to hear the police sirens as he had nothing left in the tank. He had been interacting with and restraining the male for around 20 minutes alone.

Dorset Police Federation Chair James Dimmack said, “The action of PC Demar Rowe on this day not just brave but selfless and public spirited. He initially acted out of kindness and compassion to a distressed individual.

“This situation fluctuated constantly between concern and very real danger. His calm thinking and decisive action when faced with a chain saw device undoubtedly safeguarded himself the subject and the wider public.

“His actions are commendable, and he is a credit to himself and Dorset police.”

Chief Constable Amanda Pearson said: “I am immensely proud of PC Demar Rowe. Even though he was off-duty, Demar put himself in harm’s way to safeguard not only the individual involved, but other nearby members of public.

“His actions that day are nothing short of remarkable and I am so proud that he is a member of our force. He is an inspiration and epitomises the very best of policing and our vision of making Dorset a safe county for everyone. I am delighted that his incredible bravery has been recognised with this prestigious award nomination.”