Crimewatch showcases Essex officer's bravery

PC Gill Brettell was violently assaulted by a man as she dealt with a collision on the M11 earlier this year.

Last month, she was recognised for her bravery by way of a Chief Constable’s Commendation Award which was presented to her by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington.

Here is her story.

You can also watch PC Brettell's talking about what happened after it was featured on the first episode of Crimewatch Live aired on BBC One on Monday 3 October at 10am.

PC Brettell told Crimewatch how, on the night of 11 February, she and a colleague attended a collision involving a van and a moped on the M11. The moped rider and his moped were stranded in the outside lane so PC Brettell assisted him to safety. While she and her colleague were helping others at the scene, the man walked off.

Because it was dark and traffic was passing at high speed, PC Brettell was concerned for the man’s safety and requested National Police Air Service assistance. The man was located walking along the hard shoulder. PC Brettell made her way to him and tried to detain him for his own safety.

Instead, the man threw her to the floor, breaking her hand, and dragged her down an embankment, out of sight of passing traffic and colleagues.
Despite her injury, PC Brettell fought the man off her and he ran away into undergrowth. She pursued him for long enough to enable colleagues, with NPAS help, to locate and arrest him.

The man was later charged with assaulting an emergency worker and received a custodial sentence of six months.

Upon receiving the award, PC Brettell said:

“I was extremely proud to have received a Chief Constable’s Commendation Award for Bravery.
“The incident placed me into danger in so many ways, I just fought for my life and did what I had to do until help arrived.
“I was not going to give up and I didn’t!
“It’s only now after receiving this bravery award that I can see what others saw in me.”

PC Gill Brettell was commended for her dedication, bravery and professionalism during a dangerous, and personally frightening, incident.

 

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington praised PC Brettell after presenting her with a framed certificate at police headquarters. He said:

“PC Brettell’s actions showed both her courage and tenacity in pursuing this man and detaining him.
"Even after being assaulted PC Brettell continued the pursuit, alone and in the dark until assisted by colleagues.
"Her bravery and dedication to duty are rightly recognised in a Chief Constable’s Commendation.”