ESSEX Police officers and staff have been praised for their acts of bravery and professionalism.

Four officers and one police staff member received commendations from Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh during a special ceremony on Friday.

The chief constable commendations are the highest accolade a police force boss can give.

The group were addressed by Mr Kavanagh, temporary assistant Chief Constable Carl O’Malley and the new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Roger Hirst, in his first commendations ceremony.

Mr Kavanagh said: "It is one of the high spots in my calendar to get together with the PCC and recognise the remarkable work our officers and staff do daily.

"We want to say thank you for your bravery, your dignity and your commitment during those stressful situations.”

Police Sergeant Mark Yorke-Wade received a commendation for his bravery and dedication to saving a woman’s life in June, 2015. He was also awarded a Royal Humane Society Certificate.

He had attended an incident where a missing woman had threatened to harm herself on the railway. He saw the woman attempting to climb closed barriers on the line and knowing a train would soon arrive he climbed the barrier and placed himself between the track and the woman.

He was calm and compassionate towards her and, after reassuring her that he would get her help, he was able to lead her away from the crossing and take her to hospital.

Brentwood Live:

Detective Constable Gillian Partridge and Detective Constable Kathrine Binks received commendations for their commitment and professionalism during a complex child abuse investigation in November 2014.

The thorough investigation led to the offender, a 54-year-old man, being sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

Dc Binks spoke to the victim, who had been nine years old when the abuse began and 12 years old when the suspect was arrested, and her family regularly throughout the investigation.

She showed a great deal of compassion and professionalism when talking to the young girl and built up a relationship with her based on trust.

The victim was then able to disclose a number of sexual offences that had been committed against her.

Dc Partridge committed herself fully to supporting the victim and her family, cancelling her annual leave to attend numerous court dates.

The dedication from both officers, along with their colleagues from the Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT), led to the suspect being charged within 24 hours of his arrest.

The team worked beyond their shifts and through the night to investigate each offence which led to the suspect receiving his lengthy sentence soon after.

Brentwood Live:

Dc Peter Harris received a commendation for the investigation he carried out into a road traffic collision that saw another officer seriously injured, in January 2015.

His commitment to investigating the case led to an 18-year-old man being jailed for six years.

Along with a specialist search team, Dc Harris searched the area where the suspect was arrested on February 18, 2015.

This was a hazardous area within a derelict building and whilst searching for evidence, he lost his footing and fell.

He fractured several bones in his arm and had to spend the next six weeks in plaster.

Worried that his absence would affect the suspect’s prosecution, and after just five days of rest, he asked to return to work to continue his investigation.

Brentwood Live:

Cristina Gavrilovic, a communications officer based in the force control room, received a commendation for her commitment whilst acting as a translator in May last year.

She received an abandoned call from a distressed woman who did not speak any English. Perseverance by the call taking supervisor established that the woman was from Romania and did not speak English.

Cristina had heard a colleague struggling to understand the caller and offered to call the woman back and act as a translator.

During the call, she established that the woman was being held against her will in Little Bentley and had been sexually assaulted.

During an hour long conversation, she translated for the distressed caller and reassured her throughout.

The caller did not know where she was being kept but Cristina knew the area and managed to establish she was near a petrol station.

She called the petrol station and asked the staff to take her in until the police arrived to take her to safety.

Whilst on the phone to the victim, she was able to obtain a detailed description of the suspect, his vehicle and movements which resulted in his arrest.

He was later sentenced to 11 years imprisonment.

Speaking at the force's Chelmsford HQ, PCC Roger Hirst said: "I really am very lucky to be here today. The strong feeling across Essex is admiration for your hard work and these ceremonies celebrate the work of police.

"It’s fantastic for me to be here today, I come from a policing family and it’s lovely to see recognition for bravery. What you are doing is extremely valuable to our community.”