Rookie officer rescued woman from cliff edge
A student police officer who rescued a woman with autism from a cliff edge on her sixth shift on duty says specialist training should be mandatory.
The officer, known only as Charlotte, received a call of concern for a woman standing on the cliff's edge at Roker.
She arrived at the scene where the woman was in a distressed state and the officer quickly realised the woman was presenting signs of severe autism.
Initially the woman was not cooperating with police but using the techniques she had learnt just weeks earlier as part of the Police Constable Degree Apprentice ship around autism, Charlotte was able to engage with the woman and brought her to safety.
Charlotte said: "Myself and my partner arrived and I decided to lead the incident as I felt comfortable in my ability to speak with someone with autism and I wanted to try and engage with the female.
"I remembered the training we had recently received about how best to help support people with autism when they encounter the Criminal Justice System. I ensured that I remained calm, I gave the woman some simple commands and tried to make it personal in order to distract her from wanting to take her own life.
"I was also aware that people with autism often get scared by loud noise sand lights so I didn' t make any sudden movements and made sure the lights and sirens were turned off on the vehicle.
"Thankfully I managed to engage with her and she eventually came to safety. I think every police officer could benefit from the training because it could one day help save a life .”
Sergeant Phil Atkinson, who delivers the training for Northumbria Police, said: "I am really proud of Charlotte."