THREE police officers who were threatened at gunpoint have been given commendations by the force’s chief constable for their bravery.
They were responding to a 999 call from a woman whose son had become violent and aggressive towards his family after taking an excessive amount of cocaine and heroin.
Called out at 5am on August 16, 2022, the three PCs – Tom Blount, Sarah Clark and Oliver Smith – went to defuse the scene.
PC Clark stayed downstairs with the mother while PCs Blount and Smith went to speak with the man.
He told them he needed to get dressed before he would let them into his room. After waiting, PC Blount said they were coming in, and fond the man dressed but with his back to the officers, as if doing up his belt.
PC Blount asked him to show his hands and turn around, which he did suddenly, brandishing a firearm. This was pointed at the officer, and the man twice threatened to shoot him.
This information was relayed to PC Blount’s colleagues, and they worked together to disarm him.
PC Clark had the presence of mind to open wide the front door to allow for access, ensuring the family’s safety and to allow for police colleagues to assist.
She ran upstairs to help her colleagues gain control of the man who was actively resisting arrest.
Ultimately, he was arrested and, following an investigation by Reading CID, he was convicted of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence in November 2022.
At a ceremony held in Chipping Norton late last month, the three officers were presented with their commendation, something PC Blount said was a great honour.
“Going to this incident was no different to any other that I attend daily and it shows that anything can happen in this job at a moment’s notice,” he said.
“That we were able to safely disarm and contain a volatile man and all make it home safely was testament to the professionalism of my colleagues and wider team.”
PC Clark said she was “very proud” to receive this award.
“In my daily role, no job is the same, however, sometimes some incidents are not what you expect and disarming a man with a firearm was not what we expected that morning,” she continued.
“We are not expected to deal with this in our daily role and the professionalism and courage shown by all involved makes this job worthwhile.”
