A BARNSLEY police officer who is living with a life-limiting disability has won at the South Yorkshire Police Federation Bravery Awards. ( PC Alison Slingsby was given the Inspiration Award at the second annual ceremony in honour of her work raising money for charity after she was diagnosed with MS in May 2020. ( PC Slingsby, of the Barnsley domestic abuse team, jumped 15,000ft to the ground last year in a parachute jump to raise money for the MS Society to give back to the organisation that had helped her so much. ( Speaking of living with MS, she said: “People don’t realise how unpredictable and awful this disability is.
“I’ve had so many setbacks since my diagnosis in 2020, but I’ve also had so much incredible support from my loved ones to get me through and keep me going, keep me positive. ( “The support I have received from colleagues and superiors at South Yorkshire Police, particularly the Barnsley district, has truly been amazing and I honestly couldn’t have asked for better.
“I am so grateful for this and always will be.”( PC Slingsby’s award was also given in recognition of the way she helped someone experiencing a mental health episode in November last year.
She had been driving home from work when she stopped to help a man in the middle of the road who was under the influence and committing offences.
PC Slingsby arrested him and took him into custody, where he received the help he needed. ( Supt Emma Wheatcroft, who awarded PC Slingsby a commendation following that incident, praised her courage, selflessness and professionalism.
She added: “She was without any personal protective equipment and alone.
“PC Slingsby saw that this man was not only a risk to road users but the risk to him in the middle of the road late at night was high.( “She put her own health restrictions to the back of her mind and took hold of this man to detain him and stop him placing himself or others at risk.
“In doing so she had to take him to the floor to restrain him - during this she received minor injuries to her hands from being scraped along the floor as the man made an effort to escape.”( South Yorkshire Police Federation’s chair, Steve Kent, praised PC Slingsby’s courage and commitment - both on and off duty. ( Steve said: “Alison is just what it says on the tin: an inspiration to us all.
“To carry on coming to work every day, while battling such a serious condition is amazing, and for Alison to both excel at work and in her spare time, by raising money, is both humbling and we are very proud of her. ( “On behalf of all of us at the federation - and our colleagues across South Yorkshire Police - I would like to honour PC Slingsby’s bravery and dedication as she’s a shining example to us all.”
