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Guernsey’s heroic police, and custom officers have been commended for their actions, at the annual Bailiwick Law Enforcement awards evening.
The event highlights some of the stand out performances of Police and Customs Officers throughout the last 12 months, and thanks them for their service to the island.
Officers such as Crime Scene Investigator Neil France were those to be commended this year - he helped recover the body found at Pleinmont on Christmas Eve 2017, where he then coordinated the recovery efforts. Officer France did all of this in incredibly difficult conditions, during which he showed high standards of professionalism.
But that is just one example of the standard of Law Enforcement staff that were praised during yesterday evening. Overall, a series of Chief Officers’ commendations were given out, along with a number of certificates of recognition and some annual awards.
These were presented by Deputy Mary Lowe, the President of Home Affairs, DCO Nigel Taylor and Supt. Ruari Hardy.
Head of Law Enforcement, Chief Officer Patrick Rice.
Head of Bailiwick Law Enforcement, Patrick Rice, opened the evening by saying: “The work you undertake, day in and day out, is seldom easy. Only part of it appears in the public eye. And it certainly places demands on your home lives.
“That’s why tonight is so important. This is the time of year when we stop to recognise the heroism, dedication and supreme service to duty officers across the organisation perform on a daily basis in order to keep Guernsey – our wonderful home – a safe place to live and work.
“These awards are our chance to highlight the extreme situations our officers find themselves in during the execution of their duties. Many are far from routine and several you will hear tonight involve life-threatening situations.”
Also to receive a commendation was Detective Constable Julie Smith, who, through "thorough work and determination", helped bring two serious child abusers to justice. They are now collectively serving 14 years in prison.
The final commendation of the evening was given to both PC Francesca Babbe and PC David Du Port, for acting as “model officers” in the face of a domestic incident.
The two officers arrived at a household to find a pair having an emotional conversation, but things quickly broke down to the point where the man took a kitchen knife from a nearby drawer. He then approached the two officers with the knife, and despite continued attempts to ask him to put it down, he refused and came forward.
PC Du Port used his PAVA spray to stop the man, but that caused him to fall forward, pushing PC Du Port outside the front door, and trapping PC Babbe inside with the man. She then deployed her spray to take control of the situation and detained the man. He was later convicted of assaulting the police officers.
CSI Neil France getting his award.
Other stand out awards included the Francis Quin trophy, awarded to the High Tech Crime Unit who carry out “truly unique” work. That award, for outstanding teamwork, was also shared by the Disclosure and Barring service.
Finally, the Chief Officer George Le Page Trophy for Outstanding Achievement was presented to PC Ben Batiste, who, despite numerous occasions where he has been assaulted while making arrests, continues to demonstrate his desire to be proactive, and prevent crime.
“During his relatively short police service Ben has been extremely proactive and dynamic in his work,” DCO Taylor said.
“He continually and actively seeks out opportunities to tackle crime which has led to him making a significant number of seizures of drugs and associated arrests, often when patrolling alone.”
Pictured top: PCs Babbe and Du Port being presented their Comendation by Deputy Mary Lowe and Patrick Rice.
Chief Officer’s Commendations:
CSI Neil France
DC Julie Smith
PC Arran Kenealy and PC Craig Sharman
PC Fracesca Babbe and PC David Du Port
Certificates of Recognition:
Isabel De Menezes
John Garnham
Christine, Julie, Kim and Julee
Andrew Ozanne Trophy - Sgt Alison Mauger
Chief Inspector Richard Mauger Award for Outstanding Achievement - PC Francesca Babbe and PC David Du Port
Len Townsley Award - PC Kieran Walsh
Island Police Committee Sports Achievement Trophy - Karen Archenoul
Chief Officer George Le Page Trophy - PC Ben Batiste
Francis Quin Trophy - The High Tech Crime Unit and the Disclosure and Barring Service
Crime Prevention Panel Award - the Street Life Pastors
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