POLICE officers across Swindon were presented with awards at Bradford on Avon last week in recognition of their service to the force.

Officers were presented with Certificates of Merit, Chief Constable’s Commendations, Long Service Awards and Long Service Good Conduct awards.

The Royal Humane Society Award went to PC Steven Cook, of Swindon, who single-handedly rescued a drowning man who had drunkenly fallen into a river in Frome late one night.

“It’s a moments that will stay with me forever. It was quite an inspirational moment but also quite coincidental,” he said.

“Being there at the right time, just passing through, helped me save a life.”

Richard Palusinski, a mastermind behind the almost indestructible bus shelters in Swindon, received a Chief Constable’s Certificate of Appreciation and Merit award for his 42 years of service.

“I don’t really do recognition, I find it very difficult,” he said. “I would much rather talk about how proud I am of others.”

“The fear of crime is much worse than the reality of it.

“We changed the game with the shelters.

“That will be my indelible mark on Swindon.”

PC Paul Best, of Swindon, was awarded the Chief Constable’s Certificate of Commendation and Merit for preventing a suicide by climbing up a tree. “That was one highlight but there are millions of other things I look back on fondly,” he said.

“It was very difficult to process what had happened afterwards and the realisation of the situation,” he said.