An off-duty Suffolk Police officer who intervened in an armed robbery has won a prestigious Police Bravery Award.
DC Joanne Smith was named as the Region 4 (East) winner at the 24th national Police Bravery Awards on 18 July, hosted by the Police Federation of England and Wales. The awards, sponsored by Police Mutual, honour and recognise police officers who perform outstanding acts of bravery.
DC Smith was off-duty when she courageously encountered suspected armed robbers. She displayed incredible bravery during the incident and chased after the suspects. More details of the case cannot be released at this stage.
DC Smith said: "Yes it could’ve had a different ending – I wouldn’t say that it’s changed my mind and I wouldn’t do it again because I would – you don’t think about it at the point you’re doing it. I suppose at the time I didn’t know exactly what was going on and then after the event you hear exactly what they’d done and all the details of it, and it does make you think that could’ve gone a different way, but it didn’t. I just dealt with it there and then as I saw it in that moment."
John Apter, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales said: "These awards highlight the incredible bravery that police officers show every single day. DC Smith demonstrated outstanding courage and dedication, putting the lives of others before her own without a second thought."
John Perks, Chief Executive Officer of Police Mutual, said: "For the past 11 years, Police Mutual is proud to have sponsored such an inspiring event in the policing calendar. It is a privilege for my colleagues and I to be able to show our respect for the exceptional bravery shown by police officers who risk their lives every day to protect the public and keep us safe. We hope that we can continue to play our part in helping improve the lives of the police family."
