Good luck to this year's Bravery Award nomination

10 July 2024

Branch chair Simon Riley has sent a good luck message to a Nottinghamshire police officer who has been nominated for a bravery award after he was attacked and left with a skull-exposing wound.

Dog handler PC Chris Duffy was struck with a weapon and sustained a seven-inch wound across the back of his head as he tried to arrest his attacker’s brother.

Chris, who was lucky not to receive life-ending or life-altering injuries, was then subjected to a sustained assault on the ground but managed to fight back, and his attacker fled the scene.

He managed to get back to his feet and locate his attacker, who was arrested by colleagues.

Horrific injuries

Now he’s up for a Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) Bravery Award for his actions in the early hours of 11 March 2023.

Federation branch chair Simon, who will be attending this year's event along with Chief Constable Kate Meynell, said: “Chris displayed an astounding level of bravery that night.

“Despite sustaining horrific injuries in a brutal attack, he managed to maintain control of the situation and ensure that a violent and dangerous individual was arrested.

“He thoroughly deserves his nomination and on behalf of everyone at Nottinghamshire Police Federation I wish him the very best of luck at the awards ceremony.”

Chris will be attending The Police Bravery Awards with his fiancée. The event will take place in London on Thursday (11 July).

READ MORE: Young cadets learn about the effects of knife crime.