Metropolitan Police Federation

Officers who defied gun thug cop top nationial award

The courage of unarmed officers who defied a gunman's attempt to murder them and went on to arrest him after a pursuit has won them the top accolade in this year's Sun newspaper Police Bravery Awards.

The drama began when the crew of a Territorial Support Group (TSG) carrier spotted two hooded men in Myddleton Avenue, Hackney, who, on seeing the police vehicle, became extremely agitated.

The officers decided to speak to the men but, as two of them approached the pair, one of the men - gang member Carlton Sam - pulled a balaclava over his head and drew a revolver from his waistband.

He then aimed at the chest of one of the officers - PC Michael Carroll - and fired.

Although the range was only was only about five metres, he missed.

Sam then turned towards the second officer - PC Richard Cousins - and fired at him, too, again miraculously missing from a similar range.

While PC Cousins began a violent struggle with Sam's accomplice, which ended in the man being handcuffed, Sam himself attempted to flee, pursued by PC Carroll and another TSG officer, Sgt Stephen Hayter.

At this point, a police van from Stoke Newington Police Station came by, its crew unaware of what had just happened.

One of the officers on the van, PC Barry Leban, got out to help his TSG colleagues. As he did so, Sam stopped at fired at him from about 10 metres. Yet again, the shot narrowly missed.

Despite this, PC Leban joined Sgt Hayter and PC Carroll in the pursuit and the trio succeeded in arresting Sam.

The revolver, which a forensic examination later showed to have been well maintained, still had three live rounds in the chamber but had jammed, probably because Sam had attempted to fire a fourth shot too soon after the third.

Sam was subsequently convicted of attempted murder and various firearms offences. He was sentenced to 30 years'.

Commented Met Police Federation Chairman Peter Smyth: "At a time when the TSG as whole is being systematically denigrated by armchair critics, this award comes as a timely reminder of the desperate situations which its officers are called upon to confront and resolve as, indeed, any officer might be.

"The TSG is owed a massive debt of gratitude, instead of carping criticism from people who have no idea of the dangers its officers face on the streets in protecting the public from violent criminals.

"The officers who won this top bravery award stared death in the face but never wavered, displaying instead outstanding resolution and courage."
Sgt Hayter, PC Cousins, PC Carroll and PC Leban received their award at a ceremony from the Prime Minister's wife, Sarah Brown.

Earlier, the Prime Minister himself paid tribute to all 60 Award nominees from around the country, telling them: "We value everything our brave officers have done and we celebrate you all today."

And Police Minister David Hanson said: "We must all thank the winners, whose dedication is a testament to this country's magnificent Police Service."