COMPASSIONATE and quick-thinking police officers saved the life of a man who was suffering a mental health crisis and attempting suicide by police.

Essex Police’s Sergeant Rob Mackenzie, PC Josh Brady, Sergeant Stephen Gunshon and PC Michael Plakhtienko rushed to the scene in Basildon on July 18 of last year.

The quartet from Basildon’s Local Policing Team were told a man had called police and said he wanted 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.

Despite Josh’s and Michael’s efforts, the man 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.

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,” Sergeant Rob Mackenzie said.

“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.”

PC Michael Plakhtienko added: “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.”

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington has awarded all four a Chief Constable’s Commendation – one of the highest honours he can bestow.