Two courageous constables who safely detained a vulnerable individual with a gun have been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025.

In the early hours of 7 October 2023, the Met received a call from a concerned member of the public who had received a message from a friend who was clearly in distress.

The message detailed life-threatening self-harm and extreme mental distress including suicidal ideations.

PC James McDowall and PC Ancuta Rusu were dispatched to an address in Tower Hamlets. When they arrived, family members opened the door and directed the officers to the man’s bedroom.

The bedroom was locked, so PC McDowall and PC Rusu knocked on the door and asked if he was safe and well. They explained calmly he needed to open the door so they could see him and check on his welfare.

Meanwhile, several members of the man’s family had gathered on the landing. The man turned hostile and shouting and swearing at the officers, telling them to leave the house.

There was a moment of silence and then the sound of a firearm being racked. The bedroom door opened, and the man stood in the doorway with what looked like a gun in his hand.

PC McDowall recalled: “I heard a rattling metal sound and thought: ‘Is that what I think it is?’. I backed off slightly, then the door opened, and I saw he was holding what looked to be a black handgun. Throughout my career I don’t think I’ve ever really feared for my safety before, but I did then.

“I could see his hand was starting to come up, and I thought: ‘I don’t want him doing anything stupid towards me or his family’. I was wearing body armour, but his family didn’t have any protection. I figured if something’s going to happen, I’d rather it happens to me. So I ran at him and pushed him back into the room. I was just focused on grabbing his hand.”

PC Rusu followed PC McDowall and they both tackled the man onto a bed. PC McDowall grabbed the firearm out of the man’s hand and there was a struggle, but they eventually managed to handcuff and arrest him.

The gun was seized, and on closer inspection it was found to be an air pistol. The man was taken into custody, but the CPS decided to discontinue the case.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Federation said: “PC McDowall and PC Rusu showed huge bravery in disarming a volatile man, despite both officers being unarmed themselves. Their actions really demonstrate the adage that officers run towards danger.”