Officers to be nominated for bravery award

Chief Inspector Darrin Jones said that Constable Duffield, Constable Burns and Constable McNulty risked their own lives to save others and plans to put their names forward for a bravery award.

The officers, two males and a female, had just been to a sudden death and were driving past when they noticed smoke coming from the house in Hillhall Park at around 2.30am.

When they got out one of the officers kicked the door down to discover a fire, believed to have started in a bathroom.

“There was no doubt that their actions prevented a death,” said Mr Jones. “The three officers from the response team had just been to a sudden death and were going to another call when they saw the smoke coming from the house.”

The police officers led the two occupants to safety then called the fire brigade and an ambulance. Neither occupant suffered any ill effects from the fire.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Jones, continued; “I am convinced that the brave and swift actions of these two officers helped to avert what could have been a terrible situation. This incident goes to show the dedication of our police officer who protect the people in their community every day of the year.

“The three officers then went to a mass brawl in Dunmurry and have not wanted any praise for what they have called ‘doing their job’. When I spoke to them they told me that it was all in a day’s work. They are very modest. They don’t want any recognition. They have just said that it is just something that they do. I think it is to their credit that they did that. There is no doubt they saved the lives of these two ”.

Councillor Alan Carlisle, praised the officers for their brave actions.

“These police officers were indeed very brave,” he said. “This shows that the police are not only doing their job but are doing more than what is expected of them.”

Councillor Stephen Martin also applauded the quick actions of the police officers.

“If the police officers had not reacted in the manner they did we could have had a real tragedy on our hands,” he said. “The courage and professionalism of the officers involved can only be described as exceptional.”