On Friday morning 3rd February, Garry Rhodes (our Team Leader of seventeen years) was extremely proud and honoured to journey to Bolton Town Hall where, in the Festival Hall, he was invited to attend the Greater Manchester Police (Bolton) Divisional Commander’s Award Ceremony to receive on behalf of the team a Divisional Commanders Award For Good Citizenship.
The Award Ceremony is an annual event and is principally held by the Chief Superintendent to officially commend Police Officers or members of the Police Support staff in recognition of excellent work.
These awards are recognised by being published on GMP divisional orders.
In recognition of the recipients’ actions, the Divisional Commander awards framed certificates as a permanent reminder of the appreciation and high regard in which their actions are held. The Divisional Commander also commends members of the public for good citizenship by awarding framed certificates in recognition of their actions.
Garry attended the Ceremony in the company of his mother and father, who were equally proud to attend this prestigious event. The Awards were presented by Chief Superintendent David Lea of GMP, and The Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Frank White. Also in attendance were the Mayoress, Mrs Eileen White and Mr and Mrs Ingram (personally present to present the Matt Dyson Memorial Trophy to GMP Constable Jonathan Ashcroft)
29 GMP Officers received Awards, along with a Police Community Service Officer and a Civilian Detention Officer. Also, 11 GMP Police Officers received Certificates of Excellent Attendance. Garry received his award alongside only one other “civilian”, a floor manager in a job centre who courageously went to the aid of a colleague who was being attacked by an assailant with a knife.
Most of the awards were for acts of bravery and to recognise successful Police actions, being in such company made for a “humbling experience”, reported our Team Leader.
Prior to each Award being presented, a citation was read out to all the assembled Award holders and their guests. This is what was said to the audience regards the Award Garry received:
Divisional Commander’s Award For Good Citizenship
Mr Garry Rhodes
on behalf of Bolton Mountain Rescue Team
In the early hours of the morning of Monday 31st January 2005, Bolton Mountain Rescue Team responded to a call from the Police to assist in the search for a murder suspect, who had gone missing from his home address near to Queens Park in Bolton.
Mr Rhodes and his team worked tirelessly in their search for the man through that day into the next day and again the following Saturday. The search involved the volunteers working difficult hours in winter temperatures in the full knowledge that the person they sought was wanted by the police on suspicion of murder.
It was Bolton Mountain Rescue Team who discovered the man in question, hiding on an island in an ornamental lake in the park.
This incident was only one of many in the recent past where Mr. Rhodes and the team have assisted the police. The Team is made up entirely of volunteers who also have full time jobs.
Mr. Rhodes and the team are commended for their professionalism and dedication.
Garry received the framed Award Certificate from Chief Superintendent David Lea and The Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Frank White. Chief Superintendent David Lea personally passed on some very kind comments about the team to Garry, which he promised to pass on to all the team membership.
The Award Ceremony concluded with a buffet, and photographs by the local press and GMP Public Relations Department. On Saturday 4th February, the Bolton Evening News featured a full page article on the award made to the team.
Garry commented afterwards that it was a tremendous honour to accept the award, both personally and on behalf of the team. “It is wonderful for us to be recognised for the work we do. It was an unusual incident in that we were searching as we would for any other member of the public, but we were aware it was part of a criminal inquiry.”
The framed Award Certificate now has pride of place on the wall of our Ladybridge Hall Base / headquarters.
