Londoners invited to choose the 2015 winner of the bravest act of police work
A PC from Wandsworth is one of eight nominations put forward for the Met's Outstanding Bravery of the Year Award, acknowledging the heroic actions of Met officers who went above and beyond the call of duty to save lives and catch criminals.
Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, said, "We have some outstanding candidates for this year’s bravery award. All would make very worthy winners. Such remarkable acts of professionalism and selfless acts of bravery are often carried out in the Metropolitan Police Service, but rarely remarked upon. These awards give us the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the courage of some of our officers, in saving lives and tackling armed and dangerous criminals.
On Monday 23 December, PC Winston Mugarura was off-duty in the West End when he witnessed a group of ten males chasing a lone man in Charing Cross Road. He followed the group into a nearby street where he saw the group repeatedly kicking and stamping on the man.
Despite having no police radio or means to defend himself, PC Mugarura felt morally and professionally compelled to intervene. He ran into the group and tried to shield the man from being attacked. In doing so, he was also struck by the blows of the group who ignored his pleas to stop. Two members of the public unsuccessfully attempted to assist PC Mugarura.
Eventually, PC Mugarura managed to scramble the injured man to safety. The group of men then dispersed. Moments later, he heard a woman screaming. He gave basic first aid, left the injured man in a place of safety and ran to the source of the scream. When he arrived he found two women suffering from assault-related injuries. One of the women suffered severe injuries in the unprovoked attack by the same group of men. Witnesses described the group as acting "like a pack of hungry wolves".
PC Mugarura then left both women in the care of bystanders who came to assist, and chased after the group. He did this despite being outnumbered and the obvious risk to his own wellbeing.
Once he located the men, he managed to detain the ringleader and held onto him and arrest him on suspicion of GBH. Three other culprits were then also brought to PC Mugarura by attending officers and he was able to positively identify them, resulting in their subsequent arrest for GBH offences.
The Outstanding Bravery of the Year award is just one of the Met Commissioner's Excellence in Total Policing Awards, which recognise the breadth of bravery and professionalism across the Metropolitan Police Service. The awards categories are wide-ranging and accolades will be given to officers, special constables, volunteers and staff.
January 14, 2016