Highland policeman wins Scottish Police Federation (SPF) bravery award after tackling armed man
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A Highland police officer who put himself at risk to tackle an armed man while off duty has won a top bravery award.
PC Paul Phillips was driving his young family home when he leapt out of the car to tackle the man who threatened to stab him.
His actions won him the Individual Bravery Award this year’s Scottish Police Federation (SPF) Awards to celebrate officers’ life-saving acts of bravery and commitment to their communities.
He was nominated by SPF representative Caroline Macnaughton who said at the time of the incident, which happened on a busy road, PC Phillips was in the car with his young family and wife.
Unbeknown to him, the man was causing such alarm that several different members of the public had phoned the police.
Without a second’s thought, PC Phillips got out of his vehicle and instructed his family to carry on driving and lock the doors.
In the nomination, Ms Macnaughton said: "He didn’t hesitate to still protect the public even with his family present – he realised the wider risk to those around him.
"He put others before himself by putting himself in a direct line of risk."
He successfully negotiated with the man, who threatened to stab him, and engaged with him until colleagues arrived to safely apprehend him.
PC Phillips was one of 20 officers who were shortlisted for the SPF’s annual awards in five categories which were announced at the ceremony in Edinburgh.
Scottish Police Federation chairman David Threadgold said the awards were designed to recognise and celebrate the individual and team acts of bravery and dedication to communities seen day in, day out in policing.
"We are incredibly proud of all our nominees, and while there can only be one winner in each category, we are grateful to each of them for their amazing achievements," he said.
"Police officers continue to face unprecedented challenges, but these awards are an opportunity to pause and reflect on the fantastic work that they do.
"These stories reflect what being a police officer is all about."
