| 02 July 2012
Passing Out Parade Picture Source: Met
A record number of trainees last week passed out at the largest Parade the Metropolitan Police Service had ever held, including a Special Constable who saved the life of a man dangling off a bridge in London.
More than 2,000 people, including the reviewing officer, Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe, and Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, were at the Parade at Hendon Police Training College last week, as 567 trainees pass out.
Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe enthused: "This is a great day for London. Another 567 officers to patrol the streets of the capital is a great achievement. This is an historic event and the number of officers passing out here today at Hendon is the highest ever. I wish them every success as they start on their careers with the Met, helping us to keep Londoners safe."
The Mayor added: "It is vital to invest in the Met police and I'll continue to fight hard for resources. I'm glad we have given so many Special Constables and PCSOs the opportunity to become fully warranted police officers. There is nothing more important than keeping our city safe and I'm confident these officers will serve our city well."
Special Constable, Luxan Thurairatnasingam, saved the life of a suicidal man hanging off Kingston Bridge two years ago, by holding onto the scruff of his neck. Luxan, 27, based at Kingston police station, held onto the man for so long that his arm literally locked in place as he pulled him to safety.
Luxan, who is originally from Sri Lanka, said: "I just held on tight as he tried to jump. He had been having personal problems and said he couldn't go on any longer. I told him to think about the impact on his family and said we would help him. I just did what anyone would have done. It's all in a day's work."
Amongst others passing out is a Special Constable who foiled a kidnap in West London last year. Peter Staines, 22, was in Shepherd's Bush when he received a call asking him to look out for a van where the occupants were behaving suspiciously.
He located a van which was shaking from side to side and found a man being beaten up by several people. But the van took off and after a high speed chase it it crashed into a tree. Peter and his colleague arrested four men at the scene. The victim was rescued, taken to hospital and later released.
Peter who is currently based in Hammersmith and Fulham, said: "I am so happy to be passing out today. This is a really proud moment for me and I couldn't be more delighted to be working as an officer for the Met."
Special Constable Chris Heathcote, gave up a rewarding career in the House of Commons as a researcher before he joined the Met. Chris is one of the top 10 arresting officers in Islington and received a commendation at the Commissioner's Excellence Awards in February.
Chris said: "I am hugely excited at passing out. This is the culmination of all my hard work and training. Being a Special was really rewarding and I am now looking forward to pounding the beat as an officer.”
The Escorting officer will be Detective Chief Superintendent, Lucinda Woollcombe. Music will be provided by the British Military Imperial Band.