Fed member recognised at 2024 national Police Bravery Awards

13 July 2024

A Federation member represented Nottinghamshire at the national Police Bravery Awards as he was honoured alongside other heroic officers in London.

Dog handler PC Chris Duffy was nominated for the Region 4 Bravery Award, alongside his Police Dog Reno, after they showed tremendous courage when he was attacked on shift in the early hours of 11 March last year.

Chris was struck with a weapon after attempting to arrest his attacker’s brother, which left him with a seven-inch, skull-exposing wound. He was then subject to a sustained assault on the ground but managed to fight back, prompting the attacker to flee the scene.

When Chris got back to his feet, he helped his colleagues locate and subsequently arrest the criminal.

Federation chair Simon Riley, who attended this year’s event alongside Chris, as well as Chief Constable Kate Meynell, looked back on the ceremony with great praise for the dedicated cop.

Recognised

“The bravery awards enable people like Chris to be formally recognised in style, which I think is so important to do. It was a lovely evening and served as a reminder to police officers that their work does not go unnoticed,” Simon said.

“The level of bravery Chris displayed that night last March was outstanding. He was on the receiving end of a horrific attack but remained determined to complete the task at hand, and a violent and dangerous individual was arrested. He has made Nottinghamshire proud, and I am glad he had such a brilliant time yesterday.”

The Region 4 category was won by an officer from Lincolnshire, who attempted to save a nine-year-old girl’s life after she had been stabbed.

Chris, however, still enjoyed a day of celebration for the commitment of police staff far and wide, joined by his fiancée.

Bravery award nominee PC Chris Duffy with branch chair Simon Riley.

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

“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,” said Tiff.

Also present at the event were the newly appointed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and policing minister Dame Diana Johnson DBE, who both addressed the audience in acknowledgement of the officers nominated.

Ms Cooper, attending her 14th bravery awards, 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.”

Into the unknown

Later on, Dame Diana delivered her own speech: “To you and all your colleagues, for what you do to keep the public safe, thank you. I was struck by the impressive people you are.

“A phrase that stuck out for me is ‘forever going into the unknown’.

“Your families must be so proud of you. I am so proud of you. To those here tonight, be proud of what you do. It could not matter more.”

Tributes from the pair followed their involvement with an exclusive Downing Street reception for 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 (Thursday 4 July).

Hosting the awards ceremony itself was TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith. Other attendees included Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington.

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

READ MORE: Brave dog handler attends Downing Street reception.