A Surrey Police Constable is a nominee for the National Police Bravery Awards, after he bravely saved a man from a cliff edge.
Pc Dove, who is based at Reigate, was nominated for his actions on May 15th last year when officers were dealing with a report of a missing man who had previously attempted to harm himself.
The man had left his home that morning without his phone and his family were growing
Ben Dove Police Bravery Award
increasingly concerned for his welfare.
When his car was found abandoned near a quarry in Woldingham, Pc Dove was one of the officers deployed to search the nearby woods.
The National Police Air Support helicopter was also scrambled to make an aerial search and spotted the man sitting on the edge of the steep quarry.
The helicopter crew were able to relay information to officers on the ground and they quickly made their way to the location.
Assessing the situation for risk, Pc Dove immediately noticed that the man had carefully placed his personal possessions beside him giving a serious indication he may be intending to jump.
Without thought for his own safety, Pc Dove took a decision to move forward and grab the man pulling him back from the danger of the quarry edge. He was then able to lead him to safety without causing injury to the man or to anyone else.
"I am extremely proud of the quick and decisive action taken by Pc Dove which potentially saved the life of a vulnerable man" said Surrey Police Chief Constable Lynne Owens.
"Last September I presented him with a Chief Constable’s Commendation for his actions and this national nomination for bravery is well deserved. Good luck to him and to all the other nominees.”
The awards are held every year to recognise acts of bravery by police officers across England and Wales. Now in their 19th year, there are 66 nominees from 31 forces who will attend a reception at Downing Street followed by an awards ceremony later this evening.
