Every year,the often unseen work of some of Brent's 1,000 police staff is marked with awards for outstanding acts of bravery, professionalism and dedication to duty. Reporter JAMES WHITE attended the ceremony to meet the people behind the stories.
BRAVE and dedicated police officers were officially recognised at the annual borough commander's commendations and awards ceremony.
Police staff and their families gathered at the Wembley Plaza Hotel last Wednesday to hear accounts of the courageous actions of whose work has seen them tackle a sword-wielding maniac, prevent suicidal people from taking their own lives and save a child from suffocating.
The behind-the-scenes work of investigative and support staff was also recognised at the ceremony where awards were presented by former Watford and England international footballer Luther Blissett, who spent his childhood in Brent.
Brent Borough Commander Mark Toland paid tribute to the work of officers.
He said: "It gives us a chance to say 'thank you' to staff who have done some really outstanding things.
"This is the positive side of what we do and I'm very proud we can recognise the successes of our staff."
Mr Toland also thanked the families of his staff, saying: "The level of support at home is so important to our work."
For the first time, awards were also given to the best individual officer and worker in categories including police community support officer, crime scene examiner and volunteer.
Mr Blissett thanked police for inviting him to the ceremony and said the borough in which some of his family members still live remained close to his heart.
He told the audience: "I'm humbled after hearing all the stories and things you have achieved.
"It's really opened my eyes to the dangerous situations that you guys put yourselves in every day.
"For me and my family I'd like to thank you for all the hard work that you do."
The ceremony proved to be a poignant one for friends and family of PC Chris Roberts, who collapsed and died on Boxing Day last year while attending an emergency call.
Brent police bosses decided to rename their probationer of the year award the Chris Roberts award to commemorate his work with new police officers.
Suzanne Roberts, his wife, presented the award with their son Peter, seven, to PC Stephen Stock.
Mrs Roberts said: "We are honoured and really proud to be remembering Peter's daddy."
PC Stock said: "I'm very honoured and humbled to receive the award.
"Chris Roberts was a big bloke in every way - very friendly and helpful.I'm immensely proud to have met his wife and children and I'm quite taken aback."
