Merseyside constable nominated for police bravery award

The Police Federation Bravery Awards, which this year will mark their 20thanniversary, are presented annually to honour police officers who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.

This year there are 64 nominees from 38 forces.

PC Paul Kirwin, 47, who is based in Maghull, was nominated after disarming and arresting a man armed with a handgun.

PC Kirwin was with a colleague on uniformed patrol in Litherland at around 4.15pm on Wednesday 24 July 2013.

While driving their marked police car through the shop precinct car park on Pendle View in Litherland, Constable Kirwin observed an agitated male stood in an alleyway and he became suspicious.

PC Kirwin told his colleague to drop him off and drive to the rear of the shops. He then made his way to the end of the alleyway where he observed a man leaning into the rear of one of the shops. He walked around the back of the man and saw his arm was outstretched and he was pointing a black hand gun at staff members inside.

As the man tried to look around PC Kirwin took hold of the male and grabbed his arm to prevent him pointing the gun.

A violent struggled then ensued during which PC Kirwin was able to restrain the male and cause him to drop the handgun. The man was then arrested for attempted armed robbery for which he was later charged.

The male later pleaded guilty at court to the offences of attempted robbery and possession of a firearm with criminal intent and was given a 12 month supervision order.

PC Kirwin’s bravery was recognised by Merseyside Police and he received a Chief Constables Commendation and Award of Merit for the incident.

Merseyside Police Federation chairman Peter Singleton said: “There is no doubt that Constable Kirwin’s quick thinking and outstanding bravery led to the arrest of a very dangerous individual, prevented the commission of an offence of a robbery, reduced the trauma that the shop staff suffered and prevented the male committing any further offences and trauma to other members of the public.”

The awards will take place on Tuesday 27 October and nominated officers will attend a reception at Downing Street and an evening awards ceremony.

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