Police dog handler PC Kelly Bartle and her crime-fighting partner Chase, who together help keep the Isle of Wight a safe place to live, have been nominated in the national Police Bravery Awards 2019.
Now in its 24th year, the Police Bravery Awards honour some of the most courageous officers in England and Wales, who have performed incredible acts of bravery, while on or off duty.
Last year PC Keith Palmer GM and PC Charlie Guenigault GM from the Metropolitan Police were named joint overall winners. PC Palmer was awarded posthumously, after he was tragically killed in a terror attack when he was on duty at the Palace of Westminster.
PC Bartle and PD Chase have been put forward by the Hampshire Police Federation for their remarkable bravery assisting in the apprehension of an armed and violent man during a siege at a care home in Bembridge in July 2018, despite both of them being repeatedly assaulted.
The nomination reads:
“PC Bartle saw a man at the bottom of some steps outside the front door of a house. He turned to face the officer, who saw he was holding a long implement that was around 3ft in length. He was waving it and around and started to walk to the police vehicle.
“PC Bartle got out and shouted to put the weapon down, but he continued so the officer released PD Chase out of the police van. The man had moved over to where an elderly lady was in a wheelchair and was trying to lift her out of the chair. PC Bartle shouted at him to leave the woman alone – he did but moved towards the officer who could see that the weapon he was holding was a stick.
“Fearing that he was going to attack her, PC Bartle deployed PD Chase who jumped at the man who then swung the stick at the officer.
“PC Bartle grabbed the stick, which had broken in half but was struck on the head. The man still had hold of the weapon, then grabbed a fire extinguisher and swung it towards the officer. As she put her arm up to protect herself, the extinguisher hit her, so she moved away, fearing that he was going to seriously hurt her.
“The man then sprayed the fire extinguisher at her, causing the officer to lose her vision due to the force of the water and knocking her glasses off. The man followed PC Bartle as she backed away, so she tried to use her CS spray, but it was ineffective due to the water. The man then lifted the fire extinguisher up and smashed it on the police van, causing the windscreen to smash.
“He carried on spraying the officer, who still could not see and was struggling to breathe, until other officers arrived at the scene.”
In 2017, PC Bartle was recognised locally for rescuing a vulnerable, distressed and suicidal female from a cliff edge. In April of this year she was given a Certificate of Commendation for her efforts at the incident in Bembridge.
Alex Charge, chair of the Hampshire Police Federation, has said:
“We are really delighted to nominate Kelly and PD Chase.
“These awards represent everything that is good about policing and we hope you all join us in supporting Kelly and PD Chase, an incredible team, who thoroughly deserve this recognition.”
John Apter, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said:
“Many of the nominees have performed acts of bravery where they put their own lives at risk to help others. I couldn’t be more proud to be attending the event on behalf of the Police Federation of England and Wales and making sure that we celebrate the very best in policing”.
The event will take place on 18th July and will see 71 officers from across the country in attendance.
I’ve met PC Kelly Bartle. She came to my aid when I broke down on a very busy slip road leading to a dual carriage way, she ammediatly made sure I was out of the car and out of harms way, and checked that I wasn’t too shook up, she took over the arrangements with my insurance company regarding the vehicle removal. I know it’s part of her job doing things like this. But she was soo friendly and chatty while we waited, telling me how much she loved her job and the closeness she had with PC Chase her dog ( the love and respect she had for this dog shone through. And bless her, she even took me home.
I feel I had made a friend for life. So many times the police get a bad press, mainly for no good reason.
For me, they do a job that leaves them between ( a rock and a hard place) a lot of the time. Bless them all and keep them safe. Xx