Award for hero who saved three girls
Published: July 13, 2006
A hero who rescued three girls from the Thames Estuary said his actions proved community support officers were more than just “plastic policemen”.
Dean Crowley, 38, has just been awarded a Royal Humane Society testimonial on vellum for his bravery.
He saved three teenage girls from treacherous waters off Southend last summer.
He already holds a Chief Constable’s commendation for saving the girls, who are from Hornchurch.
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Mr Crowley, a former plain clothes store detective who has been a police community support officer (PCSO) for three years, said: “I’m very pleased about the award. It shows that we are doing a good job for Essex Police and the community.
“We are known as plastic policemen’ or chocolate fireguards’, but we’re there and we get stuck in.”
Mr Crowley was on patrol along Southend seafront in August last year when he was told three girls were in trouble in 15ft deep water off a jetty off Marine Parade.
One girl was further out and her friends were trying to help her, but found themselves in trouble too.
Mr Crowley said: “It was high tide and quite deep.
“The water was pulling me the other way, but I forced myself out there. It was pure adrenalin.
All I was thinking about was her safety.”
Essex Police nominated Mr Crowley for the Royal Humane Society award, one of the country’s top life-saving honours.
Major General David Pennefather, the society’s secretary, said: “He found the sea rough with white horses and discovered that one girl had got into difficulties and the other two had jumped into the sea to try to save her.
“With no life-saving equipment immediately to hand, PCSO Crowley took off his personal protective vest, belt and radio and dived into the sea. To pull off one rescue in conditions like this would be commendable enough, but he saved three young lives.
“I am sure that the families of these three girls will remain ever grateful for his heroics and I hope this award goes some way towards recognition of his selfless bravery.”
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