Mull officer up for bravery award

OFFICER NOMINATED FOR BRAVERY AWARD

A Bunessan police offi cer who tackled a knife-wielding man without back-up, has been nominated for a bravery award.

Clare Chalmers is one of two offi cers from across Scotland who has been put forward for recognition from the Scottish Police Federation for courageously carrying out their duty single-handedly to keep the public safe in the most demanding of circumstances.

Even though the nearest help was an hour-and-a-half away, PC Chalmers faced down the violent man and got his female victim to safety.

The drama began with a call to a home in the south and one of the remotest parts of the island.

When PC Chalmers arrived at the house, she found a woman covered in blood who said she had been assaulted by a man in the property.

PC Chalmers found the man hiding under a duvet in another room and he brandished two knives at her.

Despite knowing back-up was so far away, she used her skills to get the weapons off him. With no tasers on the island, PC Chalmers had to use pepper spray on him. Other offi cers arrived by helicopter later to arrest the man, who pleaded guilty and received an eight-month jail sentence.

Scottish Police Federation representative Karen Cameron said: ‘Despite the very clear dangers and threats of harm, PC Chalmers used her tactical skills to neutralise the threat enough to recover the weapons and the female from within the house.

‘If she had not been so courageous the female could have been taken hostage, harmed further, perhaps seriously injured or worse.

‘PC Chalmers was aware of the danger the suspect posed and went alone to ensure the safety of the victim knowing any assistance was hours away.’