Hampshire Police Federation announces nominees for the 2024 National Police Bravery Awards

6 March 2024

Five Hampshire police officers who disarmed a man who was brandishing a handgun and two explosive devices have been nominated for The National Police Bravery Awards.

At 9.40am on 28 August 2023, PC Emma Davies and PC Tim Clarkson attended an address in Gosport in Hampshire to detain a wanted man. The officers found him at the premises, but he denied them access to the building. So the officers called for extra assistance, and were joined by Sgt David Gibbs, PC Nathan Fulton and PC Scott Thompson.

PC Davies went to the back exit of the premises in case the suspect tried to escape, and Sgt Gibbs used a battering ram to get in the front door.

As Sgt Gibbs and PC Clarkson entered the hallway, the suspect walked down the stairs holding a handgun to his head. The officers instructed the man to put the weapon down, but he failed to comply. The officers then noticed the man was wearing two cross-body bags, with wires coming out of them, and that he was clutching a battery pack and detonator.

Suddenly, the man detonated the device. One of his bags started sparking and quickly filled the hallway with suffocating, toxic smoke. At the same time, the man pointed his gun towards the officers.

Over her radio, PC Davies heard a mention of a firearm and then sounds of a gunshot. Thankfully it was the detonation of the device although the officer assumed it was a gunshot. Fearing the worst, she ran to the front of the house to assist her colleagues.

As she got there, PC Clarkson and PC Thompson succeeded in Tasering the suspect, who fell to the floor. Together with Sgt Gibbs, they pulled him out of the property.

But the officers were still faced with a bag that was on fire and billowing out smoke and an unknown, potentially noxious, powder. The officers, aided by PC Davies and PC Fulton, struggled to disarm the man and remove his bag. While they were doing so, the man grabbed the second bag that was around his body.

Fearing that he would detonate a second device, the officers quickly got control of him. A great deal of strength and effort was needed by PC Fulton and his colleagues to restrain and handcuff the man, so much so that it required two sets of cuffs.

PC Thompson cut the smoking device off the man and PC Clarkson threw it down a nearby alleyway. PC Davies used a fire extinguisher to try to cool the device down and put it out. It remained hot and smouldering, but did not present a further immediate risk.

The incident was so serious that Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) attended the scene and confirmed that the device was a viable improvised explosive device (IED) containing a bottle full of broken glass and metal ball bearings, which could act as shrapnel. Thankfully the bomb had not detonated properly. EOD said that if it had, there would be serious injuries if not fatalities, and that the use of Taser hindered the suspect’s attempts to detonate the device.

The suspect was arrested and later charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence; and acting with intent to cause an explosion likely to endanger life/injure property. The second charge required authorisation from the Attorney General. In February 2024, the man 54-year-old Damian Mazurkiewicz pleaded guilty to ‘use of imitation firearm to resist arrest’ under the Firearms act 1968, and ‘do an act with intent to cause an explosion’ under the Explosive Substances Act 1883.

Zoë Wakefield, Chair of Hampshire Police Federation, said: “What a fantastic five colleagues. Many congratulations to Emma, Tim, David, Nathan and Scott.

“This incident turned into something completely unexpected and terrifying. The officers’ selfless actions, when faced with an armed suspect with an explosive device, displayed their quick thinking, great teamwork and huge courage.

“Their pure professionalism was amazing; if it hadn’t been for their actions there would surely chave been serious injuries, if not fatalities. We are all extremely proud of them.”

As the Hampshire Police Federation nominees for the PFEW National Bravery Awards, Sgt Gibbs, PC Davies, PC Clarkson, PC Fulton and PC Thompson will attend a reception at Downing Street in July, followed by an evening ceremony with fellow nominees from around the country.

Our thanks to Police Mutual for sponsoring the event.