Praise for rookie police officer helped save vulnerable woman's life in Sunderland

A rookie police officer who helped saved the life of a distressed woman on one of her first days on duty has been praised for her actions.
File picture of Chief Inspector Nicola Wearing taken before Covid pandemicFile picture of Chief Inspector Nicola Wearing taken before Covid pandemic
File picture of Chief Inspector Nicola Wearing taken before Covid pandemic

The quick-thinking officer sprang into action after officers were called to the Roker Park area of Sunderland following a report that a vulnerable woman was in a state of distress.

The call came in shortly before 1am on February 4. Two response officers attended the scene and found the woman, who was severely autistic, stood perilously on the wrong side of the railings at a significant height.

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Despite it only being her sixth shift on duty, a female PC quickly took control of the situation and has been praised for showing compassion, empathy and enthusiasm when speaking to the distressed woman.

The force has said the officer’s patience and kind-hearted approach ultimately paid dividends as the woman was successfully brought to safety and safeguarded.

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Now Chief Inspector Nicola Wearing has led the praise for the rookie PC and said she should be exceptionally proud of her actions.

“This was a situation that would have been incredibly challenging for any police officer,” Ch Insp Wearing said. “The woman was struggling to communicate verbally and was clearly in a state of distress.

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“So for a new PC - on just her sixth shift - to quickly take control of the situation and display such warmth and professionalism is an amazing achievement and an exceptional piece of policing.

“She should be really proud of her actions, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank her, as well as the officer who is currently tutoring her.

“I have no doubt that together they helped protect a vulnerable woman and prevent her from coming to serious harm.

“This PC is just at the start of her policing journey but has already made a significant positive impact – and her actions that day embodied the very best traditions of Northumbria Police.”

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If you think you have what it takes to join Northumbria Police and help protect and support others, the force’s careers website has details of a wide range of volunteering and career opportunities. For more details see https://careers.northumbria.police.uk/

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