Words by Chris Green
Photos by Sandy Young
A police constable has paid tribute to his colleagues in the rank and file as he won two awards for his outstanding service, saying the force has 15,000 officers just like him.
PC Ronnie Irvine was recognised twice during the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) awards, which celebrates the bravery and dedication of police officers across the country.
The Angus-based officer, who spent 24 years in the military before moving to the police 13 years ago, came away with two awards, winning both Cops’ Cop of the Year and Team of the Year alongside his colleague PC Martyn Brennan (both pictured above).
Asked how he felt to receive the accolades, PC Irvine told a cheering audience: “I’ll tell you how I feel: there’s 15,000 cops out there that go and do what I do every day. There are 15,000 cops’ cops.”
Speaking to 1919 later, he added: “I’ve spent my whole working life in service, in uniform, whether it was in the military or in the police.
“So although it was humbling and it was nice to be given an award, I don’t feel I do anything different to all the other guys and girls who do this job.
“It’s nice to get recognised by other cops, but equally I recognise everything that they do. Everyone joins the police service for one reason, and that’s to help everybody else.
“Internally, we also help each other. When you’re dealing with the darkest things, it’s your colleagues that get you through.”
A total of seven awards were presented during the annual event at Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth, with acts of bravery, unsung heroes and officers’ unwavering commitment to their communities all being celebrated.
The winners of the six main categories were chosen from 29 officers, including constables, sergeants, detectives and inspectors.
On the night, a special award was also presented by SPF chair David Threadgold to Christine Fulton MBE, in recognition of her 30 years of campaigning since her police officer husband Lewis was stabbed to death in 1994. He remains the last police officer in Scotland to have been killed in the line of duty.
The awards ceremony was attended by Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell, who praised the nominees for their “bravery, dedication, skill and professionalism”.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance delivered a keynote speech at the event, which was also attended by Scottish Police Authority chair Martyn Evans.
“There’s 15,000 cops out there that go and do what I do every day”
PC Ronnie Irvine
PC Irvine was described by colleagues as the “embodiment” of what a cop should be.
Hailed for his work ethic and compassion, one of his fellow officers said his drive and motivation is “not something I have come across in 23 years of policing”.
Since then, he has won respect and admiration for his work with the force and as a representative for the SPF.
His efforts to nurture younger officers forms a central plank of his valuable work for the service.
“He is always the first to step forward, volunteering for difficult tasks and offering a helping hand whenever needed,” said PC Brennan, who nominated him for Cops’ Cop of the Year.
“His selflessness, compassion and genuine concern for the wellbeing of others make him the embodiment of what it means to be a police officer.
“His approachable nature and willingness to assist have made him a valued mentor within the service, helping to shape the next generation of police officers.”
PC Irvine and PC Brennan were jointly recognised when they won Team of the Year – sponsored by 1919 Magazine – for their work rebuilding the concept of community policing in Angus.
Colleagues said the pair’s work had been transformational in the wake of the Covid pandemic, which had left community policing in the area “all but non-existent”.
After applying to work in Angus, they immediately visited schools, businesses, community centres and care homes to build relationships and increase visibility.
A spate of vandalism in Carnoustie was instantly addressed by visiting school assemblies to work with young people in tackling the behaviour.
“This was not an attempt to simply identify and punish those involved,” said PS Christopher Grieve, who nominated the duo.
“It was an educational experience for the young people, identifying the impact their behaviour was having on the community and attempting to get to the root cause.”
The two PCs have also worked with the elderly community, visiting care homes and sheltered housing to address key concerns of local people.
They identified a lack of social media presence by police in the area, prompting them to create pages where residents and businesses could find them, and initiated training for other officers.
PS Grieve added: “I have never worked with a more dedicated and enthusiastic pair of officers. Their commitment is second to none.”
Among the other winners on the night was PC Sally Ann Nicol, from Argyll and Bute, who almost died saving people from a landslide triggered by Storm Babet in October last year.
She was given the Individual Bravery award for leading a rescue operation to help motorists stranded on the A83 as the “hills moved” above them.
Witnesses reported hearing “a loud rumbling” as avalanches of mud descended towards the group, before they were eventually rescued by helicopter.
“We can never lose sight of what it means to pull on that uniform every day”
SPF chair David Threadgold
The Team Bravery prize, meanwhile, went to officers from Glasgow who formed a human chain in the River Clyde to save the life of an intoxicated woman who entered the water on New Year’s Day.
Members of the public reported the female near to Glasgow’s Springbank Court, as she clutched onto a hanging tree to keep her head above the surface.
The female was losing consciousness and turning blue, and no life rings could be found along either riverbank.
PC Kevin Grant removed his body armour and made his way over to ensure the mother would not be swept away by the current.
PCs Nicola Lewis, Craig Wilson, Chloe Hynes, William McLevy and Claire Melia all formed a chain to retain contact with the embankment.
By now the woman was unconscious and proving difficult to move in the water, but they managed to get her and PC Grant to safety.
All six officers have been praised for their bravery.
The Community Commitment award went to PC Ally Hutchison from Angus, whose work with schools and young people has been credited with reducing disorder in Montrose and Brechin.
Last year, his volunteering helped raise more than £20,000 for Poppy Scotland, with one colleague describing him as “one of the most selfless and humble individuals I have met”.
Finally, the unsung hero category was won posthumously by Alistair Shields, from East Lothian, who spent 30 years as an officer followed by 15 as a special constable.
Working in East Lothian and Edinburgh, he had a particular speciality in refining techniques relating to airport-style bag and body searches.
He designed the search regime which is still in practice at the Scottish Parliament, and even visited the US to provide input for the Secret Service.
In his closing speech, Threadgold said: “We have seen the best of policing tonight, the bravery, the commitment, the team spirit that exemplifies what it is to serve our communities.
“We can never lose sight of what it means to pull on that uniform every day, and I value the role that every single one of you plays in the delivery of policing in our country.
“I leave you with this: in the hard times, never lose sight of what it was that made you join the police in the first place.”
The Justice Secretary added: “My congratulations go to the award winners and nominees. Each and every one is a credit to the profession, whether it’s by demonstrating outstanding courage – and, in some cases saving lives – or by showing their deep sense of duty, dedication and commitment.
“They should be rightly proud, but so too should every other police officer who works, day in, day out, sometimes in very challenging circumstances, to help keep our communities safe. I am deeply grateful to them all.”
Chief Constable Farrell said: “The bravery, dedication, skill and professionalism of our officers is hugely impressive and I thank the Scottish Police Federation for shining a light on some of their outstanding work.
“These awards are an important night in the policing calendar, when we recognise and celebrate our officers for their vital public service.
“I thank all officers and their families for everything they do for policing and our communities and offer warm congratulations to nominees and recipients.”
