Awards have been given out to police officers, police staff and members of the public for outstanding actions and going above and beyond to protect vulnerable people on the Isle of Wight at a ceremony in Newport.
The Isle of Wight District Commander’s Awards were hosted by Superintendent Jim Pegler at the Newport Congregational Church last Thursday (26th May).
Supt Pegler welcomed a number of special guests at the event, including Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Susan Sheldon and Isle of Wight High Sheriff Kay Marriott.
Attendees heard of the bravery and dedication of not only police officers and staff from Hampshire Constabulary working on the Island, but of selfless members of the public who came to the aid of others in their time of need.
Isle of Wight Police Cadets were also attested at the event, and 2 of the cadets were presented with their Long Service Awards.
The Volunteer Police Cadets scheme provides a safe environment where young people aged 13-17 can learn as individuals, develop positive relationships with the police and actively support the community. For more details on the Cadets, visit https://www.hampshire.police.uk/police-forces/hampshire-constabulary/areas/careers/careers/volunteer-police-cadets/.
![Iow Awards - Cadets Long Service [2]](https://cdn.islandecho.co.uk/uploads/2022/05/IOW-Awards-Cadets-Long-Service-2.jpeg)
One of those recognised at the event was off-duty Prison Officer Lee Cleary. Lee was, unfortunately, unable to attend the ceremony, however, attendees heard that whilst out on a run at Culver cliff last summer, he encountered a woman on the other side of the railings on the headland. The woman had harmed herself with a knife.
Lee acted quickly in talking to the woman, ensuring she put the knife down and safely came over to the correct side of the railings.
Following this, he secured the item before calling the police.
Lee was awarded the District Commander’s Congratulations for his selfless actions, which saw him protect a vulnerable member of the public, and ensure she was quickly provided with the support she needed.
Speaking at the ceremony, Superintendent Jim Pegler said:
“Tonight we celebrated the actions of a few officers and the public in terms of where they’ve intervened with people in crisis, or conducted exceptionally good investigations, winning the confidence of the public.
“It’s really important that we recognise when police officers and staff carry out good work because sometimes they forget how much impact they have on other people, so it’s really important that we celebrate the good work and the massive impact that police officers and staff do have in the course of their duties.
“A lot of police work goes unseen, but since I came to the Isle of Wight in January this year, I’ve been amazed by some of the excellent hard work, and the dedicated staff that we have here who make the Isle of Wight a safe place to visit, and live and work in.
“I’m really proud of what the staff do, and it’s really nice to take the time today to recognise some of that achievement.”
LISTEN to Superintendent Pegler
