Brave police officer disarmed gunman
Tuesday, 5th January 2010.
A heroic Haverhill police officer disarmed a man with a rifle in Thurlow on the day before New Year's Eve.
Officers were called to an incident at an address in Wratting Road Thurlow, at around 8pm.
At one point during the incident a man carrying what appeared to be a rifle, pointed it directly at two of the officers, PC Daniel Steel, and PC Rebecca Molisso, a probationer who has only been at Haverhill for six weeks.
The officers believed he was going to shoot them so they dived out of the way.
A third officer, PC Carl Brandwood, who was standing to one side, grabbed hold of the gun and took it from the man.
It turned out to be a decommissioned World War II bolt-action rifle.
Haverhill police chief, Insp Andrew Mason, said: "I am very proud of the way the officers had conducted themselves, especially PC Brandwood in disarming the man.
"None of these were firearms officers, but just local patrol officers and it's a frightening reminder of the kind of dangers my officers can face on a regular basis."
Insp Mason said he was putting PC Brandwood forward for a Chief Constable's Commendation for bravery.
A 43-year-old unemployed man has been arrested and charged with possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence, and has been bailed to appear at Bury magistrates on Friday.
Officers were called to an incident at an address in Wratting Road Thurlow, at around 8pm.
At one point during the incident a man carrying what appeared to be a rifle, pointed it directly at two of the officers, PC Daniel Steel, and PC Rebecca Molisso, a probationer who has only been at Haverhill for six weeks.
The officers believed he was going to shoot them so they dived out of the way.
A third officer, PC Carl Brandwood, who was standing to one side, grabbed hold of the gun and took it from the man.
It turned out to be a decommissioned World War II bolt-action rifle.
Haverhill police chief, Insp Andrew Mason, said: "I am very proud of the way the officers had conducted themselves, especially PC Brandwood in disarming the man.
"None of these were firearms officers, but just local patrol officers and it's a frightening reminder of the kind of dangers my officers can face on a regular basis."
Insp Mason said he was putting PC Brandwood forward for a Chief Constable's Commendation for bravery.
A 43-year-old unemployed man has been arrested and charged with possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence, and has been bailed to appear at Bury magistrates on Friday.
Comment on this story
[board listing] [login] [register]
You must be logged in to post messages. (login now)