Three officers have been nominated for a national Police Bravery Award following an early-morning call that quickly escalated into a life-threatening incident that tested their courage, composure and teamwork.
Sergeant Pete Williams, along with PCs Matthew (Matt) Reynolds and Gareth Green, will represent South Wales Police at this summer’s Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) event.
Their nomination comes after an incident that took place at 7am on a Sunday morning. It was the first call of the day – one they had anticipated might mark the start of a relatively quiet shift.
Instead, they found themselves facing an unpredictable and highly dangerous situation.
“We arrived at the incident to discover that most occupants had already fled the flat, leaving behind a distressed but unharmed woman and a man barricaded inside a bedroom,” recalled Matt.
As the two officers attempted to engage with him, the man began issuing violent threats, warning that he would stab them and ‘chop their heads off’.
Moments later, the situation took a chilling turn, when – without warning – a blade thrust through the bedroom door.
“It was like something from a horror film,” said Matt, who explained that the level of threat then escalated instantly.
“I thought he might have a chainsaw.”
The flat, located on the ground floor, was quickly contained, but the danger was far from over.
From inside the property, the suspect began smashing windows and hurling large shards of glass at officers outside, forcing them to take cover while maintaining containment. In the confined and chaotic environment, every movement carried a significant risk.
Chaotic
“It felt like it was going on for an eternity, but it was probably only about five minutes,” recalled Gareth, who – armed with a Taser – explained how he attempted to gain control of the situation. However, the suspect was using a suitcase as a shield.
The arrival of Sergeant Pete proved pivotal. As the Acting Bronze Inspector and an experienced leader, he immediately took control. He quickly assessed the unfolding danger, directed his officers to strategic positions, and engaged the man directly.
“The team had initially attended the disturbance, with there being no mention of any weapons. I was in the office when Matt put out over the radio that the subject had a running chainsaw and had cut through the internal door and threatened him,” recalled Pete.
“By the time I had arrived at the scene a few minutes later, the team had done an amazing job of containing the subject and creating a sterile area. Gareth was engaging with the subject and focusing his attention through the smashed front window, all while he continued to wield the chainsaw and hurl broken glass.
Huge risk
“The male was clearly injured, with him, the windows and the room all covered with blood, and he continued to pose a huge risk to himself and anyone around him.”
With coordinated positioning, Pete and Gareth were able to deploy Tasers simultaneously, overcoming the suspect’s attempts to defend himself. This created a critical window of opportunity.
Despite the ongoing risk, Matt swiftly entered the room and, while the suspect was still connected to the Taser, moved in to restrain and handcuff him.
Inside, the scene was described by Matt as ‘horrendous’. The suspect had already inflicted serious injuries upon himself and was covered in blood, with the flat extensively damaged.
Throughout the incident, officers were not only managing the immediate threat to their own safety and that of the public, but also working to preserve the life of the suspect.
Fast-paced situation
“It was such a fast-paced situation that could have gone wrong at any moment,” Matt said. “You’re relying completely on your team – and they’re relying on you.”
Gareth added: “I was extremely concerned for not only our safety, but that of the suspect and the public. In training, you know it’s controlled. This wasn’t. This was real.”
The officers also had to consider additional risks, including the suspect’s proximity to broken glass near the window, where a fall could have caused catastrophic injuries.
Despite these challenges, the team maintained control, communicated effectively and brought the incident to a safe conclusion, with the suspect arrested and taken into custody.
All officers were quick to deflect praise, emphasising the collective effort involved.
Pete said: “This was a team effort, and the positive outcome was a result of everyone doing their bit.”
Team effort
“We couldn’t have done it without the rest of the team,” Matt continued, adding: “Pete being there was a huge reassurance – he knew exactly what to do.”
Gareth said: “This is just our job. We deal with incidents like this, but it’s nice to be recognised. It’s a bit of a strange concept for people outside policing.
“Being nominated for this award really unexpected – but very gratefully received.”
Chair of South Wales Police Federation, Phil Walker, said: “These officers demonstrated exceptional bravery in the face of a volatile and life-threatening situation.
“Their professionalism, teamwork and determination to protect the public – and even preserve the life of the suspect – reflect the very best of policing. This recognition is thoroughly deserved.
“Everyone here at South Wales Police Federation sends them the best of luck at this summer’s event.”
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