Policing student awarded for outstanding bravery

A Cardiff Metropolitan University policing student has been awarded a Certificate of Commendation from South Wales Police for her bravery.

Olivia Lester, 21, from Bridgend received the award for her heroic actions alongside a colleague, PC Amy Sutton, for stopping a man threatening to jump off a bridge in Bridgend town centre.

Currently studying BA (Hons) Professional Policing at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Olivia also works as a Special Constable during her free time, which is a voluntary role. She said: “I have been a Special Constable for just over a year now, gaining experience as a Neighbourhood Policing Team Officer and a Response Officer. The combination of the studying and practical experience enabled me to respond to the incident in an appropriate manner.”

Olivia, now in her final year at Cardiff Met, will graduate this summer and plans to travel before applying to become a full time Police Officer.

She continued: “I hope that this story will inspire more Professional Policing students at Cardiff Met to become Special Constables. I feel very proud to be a Special Constable for South Wales Police and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.”

Chief Inspector Rob Miles commented: “I am immensely proud of PC Amy Sutton and Special Constable Olivia Lester.

“There is no doubt in my mind that had it not been for their timely and heroic intervention, the man would have succeeded in jumping from the bridge which would have likely resulted in significant injury or death. Thanks to the outstanding bravery and professionalism shown by Amy and Olivia, a vulnerable person’s life has been saved and he is now in a place of safety.”

Kelly Hill, Lecturer in Professional Policing and Criminology at Cardiff Metropolitan University said: “We are so proud of Olivia’s actions. She has been a pleasure to have on the course and I have no doubt that she will go on to make a fantastic police officer.”