THE bravest and most dedicated police officers have been honoured at an annual awards ceremony.
Last night's Staffordshire Police Annual Awards saw officers from across the county recognised for acts of great bravery as well as loyal service.
Chief Constable Mike Cunningham presented 14 awards to officers and PCSOs who had gone above and beyond the call of duty and made a significant difference in their communities.
One of the most dramatic stories belonged to PC Lance Stevenson, of the dog support unit, who received the High Sheriff's Millennium Vase for his role in the arrest of an armed man.
PC Stevenson and his dog Major responded to reports of a man firing pellets from an air weapon in Hanley town centre on October 14 last year.
The officer and his canine partner challenged the man, who at first appeared to be compliant, but then attempted to reach for his weapon.
PC Stevenson immediately deployed Major, who swiftly took hold of the man, who was disarmed and arrested.
The 32-year-old officer said: "It was a dangerous situation, but I had the training and the equipment, and so I was in less danger than members of the public.
"I have been threatened by an offender before, and when that happens the training just kicks in. You know that your role as a police officer is to protect members of the public.
"Major did brilliantly. He got hold of the man's arm, and I was able to remove his weapon."
The man was charged with firearms offences and found guilty at court.
Major, who had served with PC Stevenson for seven years, is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement.
PC Stevenson added: "I've always been passionate about dogs, and I love working as a dog handler. It's like working with your best friend."
PC Stevenson and his dog have been nominated by Staffordshire Police for the National Police Dog of the Year award.
Inspector Chris Dawson, head of the dog support unit, said: "Normally armed officers would have dealt with a situation like this, but as they were out of the area, and the man was posing a risk to members of the public, it was decided that Lance would be the best person to deal with him. And he did it perfectly.
"The man was lucky that it was Lance and Major who confronted him. If it had been armed officers, the outcome might have been much worse for him."
Detective Constable Peter Holliday, who has served with Staffordshire Police for 30 years, received the Chief Constable's Award for Lifetime Achievement.
DC Holliday, known as Doc to his colleagues, has spent three decades fighting crime in Hanley, both as a uniformed office, and as a member of CID.
The 48-year-old has performed significant roles in major cases, with a particular focus on indecency and drugs trafficking operations, and has pioneered techniques such as the use of listening devices.
DC Holliday said: "I'd always wanted to be a policeman, and so I signed up as a cadet as soon as I left school at 16. It was everything I expected it to be, and more.
"Being presented with this award is my proudest achievement as a police officer. I was very surprised when I found out that I had been nominated for the award, but I was obviously honoured that other people had felt I deserved it."
Chief Superintendent Bernie O'Reilly, who has worked with DC Holliday for a number of years, said: "Doc is an outstanding police officer. If younger officers are looking for a role model, he is it.
"Everyone likes him, including other officers and the criminals. He just has everyone's respect."
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