Off-duty PC stabbed chasing wanted murderer wins national police bravery award
An off-duty police constable who was stabbed as he chased a man wanted for a double murder has won the overall national award at this year’s Police Bravery Awards.
PC Steven Denniss was walking his dogs, when he saw a man standing next to a bench in a hooded top staring at a member of the public.
He immediately realised this man was wanted for the murder of a young woman and her son the evening before. Both had died after receiving multiple stab wounds at their home.
The off-duty Lincolnshire Police officer let go of his dogs’ leads and approached the individual, who responded by attacking him.
The suspect ran and PC Denniss chased him, calling an on-duty colleague for back-up at the same time.
The individual turned back on PC Denniss as he was making ground, pulled out a knife and demanded his phone.
As the two men were facing off, the suspect stabbed PC Denniss in the leg.
Despite his injury, PC Denniss continued to chase the individual as he ran again before other officers arrived and were guided towards their colleague’s location.
He then assisted in clearing the public from the area for their safety while the suspect was arrested.
The man was jailed for 40 years for the double murder and 21 months for the assault on PC Denniss.
Hon Mr. Justice Pepperall publicly commended the officer: “I commend PC Steven Denniss for his bravery in seeking to make an arrest while off duty and without any backup or regard for his own safety in order to protect members of the public.”
Helen Stamp, chair of Lincolnshire Police Federation, said: “PC Denniss’ actions demonstrate that he showed tremendous courage in tackling a man whom he knew had committed such atrocious crimes, putting the safety of the public before himself. Thankfully he was not seriously injured but he certainly went beyond the duties expected of him.”
On winning the award, PC Denniss said, “It is an amazing feeling now it has sunk in. We cannot forget all those people in the room tonight.
“People who have done some truly brave and outstanding things.”
The awards ceremony was held in London on 14 July 2022 in front of an audience including Yvette Cooper MP, Paul Fotheringham, president of the Police Superintendents Association, Tom Pursglove MP, and Andy Marsh, chief executive officer of the College of Policing.
The regional winners were:
Region 1 – Greater Manchester: PC Jack Ginger, PC Jessica Hamblett and PC Richard Hayes.
Region 2 – West Yorkshire: PS Mike Watkins and PC Tom Swift.
Region 3 – West Midlands: Detective Constable Mark Bates.
Region 5 – Sussex: A/PS James Arrol-Barker and PC Ryan Oakley.
Region 6 – Avon and Somerset: Officers do not wish to be named.
Region 7 – South Wales: PC Nathan Davies.
Region 8 – Metropolitan: PC Aksit Ekrem.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “These acts of bravery, honoured here today by your colleagues and the public, are outstanding and in the finest traditions of policing. I salute each and every one of the fantastic nominees at the awards. You are truly the best of the very best.
“It is absolutely right and proper that we honour and celebrate the work of our brave men and women in uniform who work day in and day out to protect the public.
The progress we are making towards recruiting 20,000 more officers gives me full confidence that together we will make our streets safer. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
The winner of this year’s Inspiration in Policing Award was PC Sean Burridge of Surrey Police. PC Burridge was presented with the award by Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) national chair Steve Hartshorn at the National Police Bravery Awards ceremony.
With more than 20 years’ service, PC Burridge is a Federation rep, mental health first aider and since March 2020, has been a wellbeing consultant for a collaborative team made up of Surrey and Sussex Police officers.
In 2015, PC Burridge was involved in an 108mph road collision while at work. Luckily, both PC Burridge and the driver of the other vehicle survived, but PC Burridge was diagnosed with PTSD as a result.
In March 2020, he joined the Wellbeing Team and has taken on the mental health portfolio, offering colleagues from both forces CPD talks about his own lived experience with PTSD. He has also helped to set up the first UK policing PST Support Group and coordinates Mental Health First Aider and Defuser Training for all forces.
PC Burridge has also created the highly acclaimed ‘Smash the Stigma’ webinar series, for which he has cultivated and presented sessions around Mental Health, Men’s Health and Suicide Prevention. He is currently working on a new support initiative, Suicide First Aiders, for roll out across Surrey and Sussex.
In November 2021, PC Burridge drove the Oscar Kilo Wellbeing Van across Surrey as part of project ‘Wellbeing & You!’, covering 1,000 miles in seven days collecting supplies, visiting 15 different police sites and showcasing wellbeing offerings for colleagues.
“PC Burridge is always on hand to answer calls from colleagues seeking support and on several occasions over the last year, these have included colleagues contemplating taking their own lives,” said the PFEW.
“In among his day job and additional work in providing support to colleagues, PC Burridge finds time to cover school runs for his children and to help out his local school by driving the school bus on school trips. His duty of care and commitment to both forces, whilst coping with his own mental health struggle, make him an inspiration to everyone.”