Cornwall PC Among Officers Honoured at Long Service Awards

A Cornwall police officer who tackled a crossbow-wielding offender and talked a suicidal woman down from a bridge has been recognised for two decades of service, alongside dozens of colleagues honoured at a ceremony in Plymouth.

Devon and Cornwall Police held its Long Service and Good Conduct Awards at the China Fleet Club on Wednesday 29th April, marking the careers of officers, staff and Special Constables across the force area.

Bodmin officer’s 20 years

Police Constable Laura Barnden joined the then Devon and Cornwall Constabulary on 21st November 2005. After initial training in Cwmbran, Laura was posted to east Cornwall, working out of Bude, Launceston and Camelford.

In 2011 she joined what the force describes as the “legendary D section” at Bodmin, a team that stayed unchanged for the following ten years. During that decade Laura received numerous commendations, including for safeguarding, for supporting a suicidal woman on a bridge, and for bravery after tackling an offender armed with a crossbow.

She moved to a Neighbourhood Beat Manager role on the Bodmin Neighbourhood Team in 2021, based at Wadebridge Police Station. Her specialist skills in Search and PSU work have seen her deployed twice to Northern Ireland on mutual aid, to Westminster for the Syrian Conference, and to the King’s Coronation.

“Most complex” sex case investigator commended

Detective Constable Craig Ferguson received both a long service award and a Judge’s Commendation. Craig joined Hampshire Constabulary in 2004 before transferring to Devon and Cornwall Police in early 2018, working as a detective in Tavistock on complex sexual crimes.

While at Tavistock, Craig managed the investigation into an offender who attacked and stabbed two local officers on duty. One officer suffered serious arterial bleeding. The offender pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years. Craig received a Chief Constable’s Commendation for that case.

In May 2025 Craig secured a 30-year sentence, with a five-year extension, against a sex offender who had abused five vulnerable and disabled women over a decade in Tavistock. His Honour Judge Robert Linford personally praised him at Plymouth Crown Court.

Judge Linford said of the case: “This was one of the most complex, detailed, involved and difficult sex cases that I have tried.”

He added: “I have never, either at the Bar or as a Judge, seen such a potentially difficult case investigated, prosecuted and presented in such a sympathetic, empathetic and effective manner.”

The Judge’s Commendation was shared with Police Constable Helen Winterson. Craig joined the Major Crime Team at Crownhill Police Station in Plymouth in January 2026.

Special Constabulary leader honoured

Special Constable Chief Officer Dr Ashley Frayling was recognised for 19 years of voluntary service. Ashley joined the Devon and Cornwall Special Constabulary on 20th October 2006 at Heavitree Police Station, becoming a Special Sergeant in 2013 and South Devon’s Special Superintendent by 2019.

Since taking up the Specials Chief Officer post in 2024, the Special Constabulary in Devon and Cornwall has expanded its profile and professionalised its operation. Ashley is also a senior lecturer in criminology at Exeter University, chairs the Association of Special Constabulary Chief Officers, and leads the Women in the Special Constabulary Network. In 2025 she won the Lord Ferrers Award for outstanding contributions by volunteers in policing.

Twenty-year servers

Several other officers were marked for 20 years’ service. Police Constable Ashley Hutchens joined on 21st November 2005, starting at Ivybridge before moving to Teignmouth patrol. He spent five months in the Silver Command Room at Force Headquarters during the Covid-19 pandemic, and in 2022 joined the Force Support Group in South Devon.

Police Constable Natasha Wigfield served five years in the Royal Air Force Police, including deployments to Oman on Operation Herrick and the Falkland Islands, before joining Devon and Cornwall Police in November 2005. Tash spent 12 years on Response at Charles Cross Police Station, and is now a Neighbourhood Beat Manager at Devonport Police Station. She holds a Superintendent’s Commendation for performing lifesaving CPR off duty at the Torpoint Ferry.

Police Constable Andrew Ronayne, born and raised in Plymouth, joined the RAF in 1999 and became RAF St Mawgan’s first ever operational General-Purpose dog handler. Andy joined Devon and Cornwall Police in November 2005, working out of Devonport before moving into neighbourhood policing in North Prospect and Barne Barton. He joined the dog section in 2013 and has worked General-Purpose dogs Thunder and Nato, drugs dog DeeDee, and explosive search dog Lulu. Andy received a Certificate of Recognition for his work on security at the Paris Olympics, though he describes the Queen’s funeral as his most memorable deployment.

Specials recognised

Several Special Constables also received long service awards. Special Sergeant Neil Cameron was honoured for nine years’ service after joining on 20th July 2016, based at Ivybridge.

Special Constable Andrew Schuster first joined in March 2014, transferred to another force, and returned in August 2018. He is described as a valued member of the North Devon Team and a PSU level 2 officer.

Special Sergeant Penelope Chudley received recognition for 19 years’ service after joining on 21st October 2005. Penny is a core member of the South Devon senior leadership team and has mentored Special Constables in Newton Abbot.

Special Constable David Vaughan-Williams, known as “DVW,” also received a 19-year long service medal, having joined on 3rd February 2006. Alongside a long career on the railways, he previously served as a Sergeant in Newton Abbot.

Chief Constable’s thanks

Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “These awards recognise not only length of service, but the consistency, dedication and high standards demonstrated by our officers and staff every day. We are extremely proud of everything they have achieved and the difference they continue to make to the communities we serve.”

Special Constables were honoured in a separate evening ceremony. James added: “Our Special Constables give up their own time to serve their communities and support the force. Their commitment is exceptional, and evenings like this give us the opportunity to publicly thank them for their dedication and professionalism.”