Police Constable Andrew Cushing has been named as the London region winner in the annual National Police Federation Bravery Awards.
Also nominated from the Met Police were PC Adam Elwood and Police Dog Cruz, who chased and arrested a dangerous group of men, despite one of them pointing a gun at them.
PC Gareth Griffin who identified and apprehended a robbery suspect, and remained calm and in control despite a growing and concerned crowd gathering, was another nominee.
PC Cushing, of Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection said: “It’s a proud moment in my career, made all the more special by it being my last year as a serving Metropolitan Police officer before I retire. Each and every police officer around the country deserves recognition for the work they do keeping the public safe, as they never know what’s around the corner – as shown by this incident.”
On 4 February 2022 at about 07:30hrs, PC Cushing was on duty on his police motorbike, undertaking a routine patrol near Regent’s Park.
The officer’s attention was drawn to a vehicle driving erratically but when PC Cushing attempted to stop the vehicle it drove off at speed.
PC Cushing pursued on his motorbike but was forced to stop when the vehicle began driving on the wrong side of the road, posing a danger to the public.
A short time later, the vehicle was found having come to a stop following a collision. As PC Cushing approached, the driver got out and ran away.
PC Cushing followed the man into Mornington Crescent in Camden and attempted to arrest him. During a struggle, the man suddenly produced a gun and pointed it directly at the officer.
Despite being alone, facing an armed man who was pointing a gun at him, PC Cushing remained calmed and took a split-second opportunity to disarm him and bring him to the floor where could be arrested.
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “I am delighted that PC Cushing has been recognised for his actions, he is a very worthy winner of the Police Federation Bravery Award.
“This shocking incident began as a vehicle stop. It is an example of the uncertainty faced by police officers each day, never truly knowing what they will face when they put on their uniforms and go out to keep the public safe.
“I congratulate PC Cushing and the other Met officers who were nominated. I am immensely proud of their professionalism and their bravery.”
Commander Simon Messinger, said: “PC Cushing doggedly pursued a driver who was putting people’s lives at risk, only to find himself looking down the barrel of a gun.
“This terrifying situation would panic most people, but PC Cushing acted with the utmost calm and clarity of thought, seizing a split-second opportunity to disarm the man so he could be arrested, and the public be kept safe.”
