A TEAM of police officers who helped rescue 36 elderly people from a burning building were among those to gain commendations at an awards ceremony this week.
At the Met's Chigwell Sports Club on Thursday a total of 31 officers received awards for exceptional work.
The commendations went to officers who have displayed bravery, courage, determination or investigative ability.
Among them were seven officers who attended a fire at a care home for the elderly in Gosport Road, Walthamstow, on September 24.
They arrived to find firefighters in three engines battling the blaze, which had spread to the roof.
There were not sufficient resources for firefighters to enter the building so the officers volunteered to go into the care home.
The elderly people were all rescued.
Sgt Andy Wickstead and PCs Chris Bohills, Rob Waring, Andy Martyn, Matt Cowden, Steve Smith and Gareth Edwards were all commended for their outstanding bravery during the rescue operation.
The summer also saw a dispute between rival factions over who should run Lea Bridge Road mosque.
The ongoing row initially threatened to become violent, but Sgt Jeff Wooding acted as an intermediary between the two parties.
After several months a solution was found and an election was held to appoint a new committee.
Sgt Wooding received a commendation for outstanding community engagement.
The citation said: “Sgt Wooding did not bend from his task and despite strong personal pressure ensured that the mosque found itself in the harmonious position it does today.”
A total of nine officers were commended for their role in covert anti-drugs operation Oliver Intelligence.
Officers gathered evidence over a period of time before buildings across the borough were raided in January and 20 people arrested.
The operation has since resulted in 16 people being convicted of drug-related offences, 14 of whom are now behind bars.
PCs Katie Trayers, Eamon Tansley and Ken Loader, and Det Cons Jeremy Parker, Ruth Plant and Mike Martin were all commended for their efforts in the investigation as were Trainee Det Con Trevor Rowlands, Det Insp Chris Robson and Sgt Sarah Brewer.
The ceremony was attended by former Spurs and England footballer Teddy Sheringham.
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