(L -R) PC Debbie Tipper, PC Ross McClean, PC Mia Bayar, PC Paula West

A team of quick-thinking police officers who were praised by medical professionals for saving a man experiencing a mental health crisis from near death have been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2023.

On 13 August 2022, Humberside Police received a call from a man in distress and asking for help.

PCs Ross McClean and Mia Bayar attended the address given by the caller and were invited inside by his friend. The officers went up the stairs and when they reached the top, they saw a large man holding a broken shard of mirror glass in his hand. He immediately raised it to his neck and began to cut his own throat.

Without hesitation or thought for his own safety, PC McClean leapt forward and took hold of both the man’s hands in an attempt to stop him cutting himself. In doing so, both men fell to the floor in the bedroom doorway.

Whilst PC McClean struggled with him to protect him from harm, the shard of glass cut into his own hands. PC Bayar requested urgent assistance. She then used her baton to try to get the man to let go of the glass, but he continued to harm himself.

Within one minute, PCs Paula West and Debbie Tipper arrived at the scene. PC West used her baton to strike the man’s hands to break his grip on the shard of glass, as PC Bayar and PC Tipper attempted to restrain his legs and body as he writhed on the floor.

Ultimately this tactic worked, and the man was detained for his own safety. Both the man and PC McClean received medical treatment at hospital.

Medical professionals said the brave and quick-thinking actions of the officers prevented the male from cutting his carotid artery by 2mm, which would have resulted in his death.

The man was later released from hospital and interviewed for Assault on an Emergency Worker, for which he was extremely apologetic for injuring PC McClean.

With PC McClean’s wishes considered, the male was released with No Further Action and received professional help. All four officers made a full recovery and have since returned to work.

Humberside Police Federation Chair Lee Sims said: “These officers were faced with an unexpectedly harrowing situation and, without fear for their own safety, they saved this man’s life. The man could have used the glass on them at any time during the struggle and I commend the officers for their quick thinking and courageous actions.”

Chief Superintendent Christine Wilson said: “Congratulations, I know you will all say you were just doing your job in very difficult circumstances, but your actions were remarkable and saved a man’s life who was in real mental distress despite the risk to yourselves.”