An Inverness constable has been recognised for her bravery after she restrained a man who knocked our her colleague.
PC Katy Mackay was on a call when the incident unfolded late one Friday last September.
The pair had been called to a disturbance, and her colleague was butted knocked unconscious.
But PC Mackay, who was still on probation at the time, managed to restrain the man until back-up arrived.
She has now been shortlisted for an individual bravery award from the Scottish Police Federation.
‘I just kind of realised, ‘hang on I’m by myself’’
PC Mackay and her colleague were on patrol when they were flagged down by a member of the public in Inverness who said a taxi driver had been assaulted.
When they arrived at the scene, they found the taxi driver had facial injuries and a man nearby was acting aggressively.
As the two constables approached him, he became aggressive and abusive; butting PC Mackay’s colleague and knocking him out cold.
Despite being only 18 months on the job, PC Mackay struggled with the man – who was considerably larger than her – before drawing her PAVA and restraining him on the ground.
Reflecting on the incident, she said: “It was just a normal Friday backshift, we heard the radio saying there was a disturbance ongoing throughout different locations in the town.
“As we came up through the town, we got flashed down by a member of the public to say that a taxi driver had been assaulted.
“We headed on up to the hill to where the taxi was, and I got out and spoke to him. He said the suspect was just around the corner, so I shouted to my colleague and just as I did that the boy came into our sight.
“Instantly we both got hands-on and I placed the handcuffs on him and he just kicked off instantly.
“That’s when I saw him lean back and next thing, I heard the headbutt.
She added: “I just kind of realised, hang on I’m by myself. That’s when I felt my radio go because my colleague had pressed the red button before he went down.
“I just remember the relief, thinking that’s fine there’s people on the way.”
‘She showed great reserve and a cool head’
Her colleague suffered a severe concussion and was off work for several months with severe post-concussion syndrome.
PC Mackay has been has been praised for her actions and her ‘cool head’’ in controlling the suspect.
She will join dozens of officers who have been nominated by the Scottish Police Federation across five categories; Group Bravery, Individual Bravery, Cops Cop of the Year, Unsung Hero and Community Commitment.
The awards ceremony will be held at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on Thursday.
David Hamilton, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “There can be no greater honour than to be recognised by your peers for work that spotlights what being a police officer is all about.
“PC Mackay was still a probationary officer when this incident happened, and she showed great reserve and a cool head as she managed to gain control of the suspect.
“This year’s nominees should all be immensely proud of their achievements, which have included saving lives, protecting the public, supporting colleagues, and making the communities they serve safer.
“Police officers continue to face unprecedented challenges, but these awards are an opportunity to pause and reflect on the incredible work that they do.”
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