Brave officers honoured at national awards ceremony

14 July 2023

Two Hertfordshire officers who risked their lives tackling a violent and dangerous knife-wielding thug have been honoured at the national Police Bravery Awards in London.

PCs Mercedes Newman and Tristian Morrison bravely managed to disarm and arrest the offender after he had attacked them. 

They were put forward for the bravery awards by Hertfordshire Police Federation and the branch secretary, Al Wollaston, joined them at the awards ceremony yesterday along with Deputy Chief Constable Bill Jephson.

Al said: “It is true to say that the Police Bravery Awards are the highlight of the policing year and I never fail to be amazed by the incredible acts of bravery that are highlighted at the event. 

“But I think we also all appreciate that each and every day police officers put their lives on the line as they serve and protect their communities.

“The bravery awards nominees exemplify all that is good about policing and also represent their brave colleagues the length and breadth of the country.

“I was pleased and proud to attend this year’s awards with Mercedes and Tristian and their guests. They are a credit to the Force and to the police service.”

Earlier in the day, the two officers attended a Downing Street reception hosted by Home Secretary Suella Braverman. Tristian was accompanied by his wife, Mikaela, while Mercedes was joined by her partner Dan McNeil.

Tristian and Mikaela and Mercedes and Dan with Suella Braverman

The officers had been called to Goff’s Oak at around 10am on Sunday 16 October following reports that a man, “who was carrying a large kitchen knife” was approaching members of the public saying “there had been a murder” and “there was going to be a murder”. 

“I remember every single detail of that day,” said 24-year-old Mercedes, who was less than three years into service when the incident took place. 

“We were directed into a car park by a member of the public who stated he was wearing a thick grey coat - my mind was thinking about what options I had at this point. 

“As we entered the car park we found a man who fitted the description of the offender, he was sitting alone on a white deckchair. We got out of the car and had barely taken two steps before he pulled out a kitchen knife, which was probably around 11 to 12 inches long.  

“I immediately took my Taser out and told him to put down the weapon. I just needed him to put that knife down, but nothing I did or said seemed to work.’’

Mercedes had completed her Taser course 10 days prior to the incident and her response course a few weeks before that. 

“The Taser just seemed to annoy and wind him up,” she added.

“The man then took the knife and held the blade up to his neck and so I discharged my first taser cartridge but it was ineffective due to the number of layers he was wearing, however, I had to try.” 

Aggravated even more, the offender suddenly turned on Mercedes, charging and stabbing at her several times.

Mercedes and Tristian were shortlisted for a Police Bravery Award

“Tristian pulled me back and I have no doubt in my mind that without him doing that, I would have had a knife in my neck. Without him I don’t think I would have been making it home that day,” continued Mercedes, who then discharged her second and last taser cartridge and sprayed him in the face with PAVA which did not have the desired effect.

 “At this point, he has moved back and I remember him standing there ripping out the Taser barbs that were in his clothes. I remember trying to create some distance between us, as I tried to figure out my next move - I had no Taser cartridges left and no PAVA. I thought I was done for,” Mercedes continued.

“I had a baton but if I’d tried to use it, he would have ripped it out of my hand. He was a 6ft 3in large male, he towered over us and to be honest I didn’t want him anywhere near me’’.

After a few seconds and with officers defending themselves, he dropped the knife. But he was also making threats that he had another knife on him before putting both hands back in his coat pockets.

The offender then turned to run down a nearby alley, which led into a high street. 

Mercedes picked up the knife and locked it in the police car, while Tristian, who was a student officer at the time, chased after the offender.

“I’d pressed the emergency button as soon as he had put the knife to his throat,” said 34-year-old father-of-two Tristian. 

“Everything moved so quickly and I remember being so afraid. My mind was completely focused on where that knife was and where his hands were. When he ran off through the alleyway, I was concerned about what he could do to the public or himself.

Tristian eventually caught up with him and sprayed him again with PAVA before the offender ran off once more. 

“He turned into a secluded car park and still had his hands in his pockets. He then took his hand out of his pocket and put something to his neck, so I got my baton out. 

“I soon realised it was a key he had in his hand, so I put down the baton. I eventually managed to get the cuffs on him and arrest him.”

Tristian said that while he felt ‘proud’ to have been nominated for a Police Bravery Award, he explained that ‘officers do not do their job to get an award’.

“Ultimately, what I’m most proud of is that nobody was physically hurt that day,” he added.

“It was difficult watching the footage from our body worn video back. I didn’t realise I’d pulled Mercedes away until I watched it - and when I did, I got a bit emotional.

“One of the things I do remember is seeing Mercedes’ partner (who is a sergeant in the Force) and him giving me a big hug. 

“This nomination is for Mercedes. She was fearless that day and I honestly believe she led by example and we worked great as a team. I had her back like I know she would have mine.”

The two officers were nominated in Region 5 of the awards which was won by a Bedfordshire officer. The overall winners were a team from West Midlands Police who had formed a human chain to try to save four boys who had fallen through a frozen lake.