ESSEX Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington recently handed out a number of his commendations to officers.

Among recipients was a team of four from Basildon.

Sergeant Rob Mackenzie, PC Josh Brady, Sergeant Stephen Gunshon and PC Michael Plakhtienko, who were commended for their bravery and quick-thinking actions which, undoubtedly, helped to save the life of a man suffering a mental health crisis.

On 18 July, last year, the quartet from Basildon Local Policing Team were deployed after a man rang police and told call-handlers he wanted Essex Police officers to shoot him. He also stated his ex-partner was at the address and that he was armed with a knife.

Rob, Josh, Stephen and Michael arrived at the scene and first ensured the woman was safe. The man had smashed up the flat and entered the loft, armed with a knife and scissors.

Josh and Michael engaged with the man to establish a rapport for around two hours. Meanwhile, Stephen was deployed with a Taser, as a contingency.

When Rob arrived at the scene, he visited each household in the block of flats, giving occupants a briefing and ensuring that the age and needs of each occupant was documented in case a quick evacuation was necessary. He also communicated developments to the Bronze Commander at the scene.

Despite Josh's and Michael's efforts, the man later became aggressive and smashed through roof tiles before appearing at the loft hatch, threatening to harm himself and then disappearing from view.

He refused to re-engage with them and then broke through a ceiling in another room as he attempted to harm himself. Rob and Josh quickly located him and supported his weight from below, while Stephen and Michael gained entry to the loft, without a ladder, and managed to get the man to safety.

Rob, now working in Southend Custody, says: "It is a team effort. We were the four in the flat but we were supported by lots of colleagues outside and we wouldn't have been able to get the job done without them. Fortunately, we were in the right place at the right time and we acted upon our instincts. As soon as his feet went through the ceiling, we went straight up into the loft and managed to save his life.

"The most impressive thing is that Josh and Michael were on their tutorship, only a few weeks into their policing careers but, as soon as we needed them to step up, they stepped up."

Josh and Michael joined Essex Police at the same time and had passed out from Essex Police College together just five weeks before the incident happened.

Josh says: "Nothing ever prepares you for such things but this is what we signed up to do. It's being in the right place at the right time and doing what you love."

Michael says: "All I thought about was to keep talking to the man – as long as he's talking, he's alright. Then when his feet came through the ceiling I just thought I had to get up into the loft.

Stephen, who is now with Chelmsford Local Policing Team, adds: "It's nice to be recognised for the work you do but it's a team effort. The first thing we signed up to do in this job is to protect people and we just wanted to make sure the man was safe."