The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Stabbed officers praised for bravery on call-out
Man arrested after male and female officer injured while on duty
Two police officers are in a serious condition in hospital after they were allegedly stabbed while dealing with a call-out.
The officers, PC Laura Sayer, 39, and PC Kenny MacKenzie, 43, were injured at a house in Gateside Gardens, Greenock, yesterday morning.
A 43-year-old man had been arrested following an incident and is also being treated in hospital.
Colleagues praised the “incredible bravery” of the two injured officers who were initially taken to Royal Inverclyde Hospital.
Police said the incident was not terrorrelated and there is no risk to the wider public.
Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins has visited both officers and said he was “proud to speak to them”.
At a press conference in Greenock, he said: “Both remain in a serious condition.
“Our thoughts are with our injured colleagues and of course their families at this time.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly praise the incredible bravery shown by these two officers during the extremely difficult and challenging situation they faced.”
The female officer is a probationer with the force and the man is an experienced officer, Mr Higgins said.
One officer has been transferred to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for further treatment.
Asked about the nature of the injuries, Mr Higgins said: “It’s not been classified as life-threatening at this moment but it is significant and it is serious.
“I went to the hospital and I spoke to both officers. They were in remarkably good spirits.
“I’m blown away by the courage of them. I was actually very moved and proud to speak with them.”
A large section of Gateside Gardens has been cordoned off and several police vehicles remain in the area.
Forensic officers could be seen examining a section of Grieve Road where a shoe and some clothing lay in the street.
Mr Higgins said the arrested man was being treated for “very minor bruising and cuts and grazes”.
He said the 43-year-old’s mental well- being was being assessed but stressed this was standard procedure for everyone who is arrested.
Police Scotland is to significantly increase the number of officers armed with tasers from this month.
Mr Higgins said: “Potentially a taser could have made a difference, but again that’s a bit speculative.
“Greenock is going to be one of the areas where during our roll-out period there will be specially-trained officers deployed.”
Andrea MacDonald, chairwoman of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “Our thoughts are with the injured officers and their families. Once again we see how difficult and dangerous a job it is.
“Police officers put themselves between other professionals and the public and dangerous individuals, sometimes with life-changing consequences for themselves and their families.”