Sergeant Neil Phimister and Detective Constable Edwin Mayo, both from Chelmsford, were among seven Essex Police Officers awarded a Chief Constable's Commendation last week for good work in the course of duty.

Sgt Phimister from the dog unit at Sandon Police was one of three officers who waded three-quarters of a mile into the sea at night in Southend last April to prevent a woman from committing suicide.

When officers reached the woman, near Southend Pier, the water was up to her thighs and it needed the police helicopter to guide them back to shore.

Sergeant Neil Phimister with his commendation for preventing a woman committing suicide.

DC Mayo, who works in the Major Investigation Team at Harlow, was commended for professionalism, tenacity, determination and attention to detail for his role in a three-year investigation that saw a doctor, who had been struck off but got re-instated six years later, convicted of sexual assault offences.

DC Mayo gained the confidence of one victim and then identified another two patients who had been assaulted. The doctor was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

The presentations were made at Essex Police Headquarters, in Sandford Road, on November 1 by acting Chief Constable Charles Clark.

Published Tuesday November 5, 2002

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