NEWS
OFFICER LEFT HOLDING THE BABY!
PC Gemma Clatworthy delivered a baby in the middle of a main road and described it as “the most incredible experience of her life”. The Devon and Cornwall officer
and a colleague were en route to an incident in December when they were flagged down by anxious motorist Chris Haggar. He told them his partner Lucy was having a baby. Gemma raced to the expectant
woman’s aid, expecting only to comfort Lucy and ensure her safe passage to hospital. However, she was shocked to find the birth was taking place in front of her and, like every good police officer, stepped up to the challenge. She explained: “At first, I thought
she was just having contractions and I’d only have to help her with her breathing until an ambulance arrived. Then I noticed the baby’s head had appeared and it was clear she was having the baby then and there. “With the mother laying on a
car seat, I helped as the birth took place in front of my eyes and then proudly held the baby girl in my arms as she stretched and yawned. It’s no exaggeration to say it was the most incredible experience of my life.” While her colleague found a
blanket, Gemma, who is stationed in Exeter, comforted new-born Lily until an ambulance took the pair to hospital. She added: “I’m so glad the baby
was okay. I’ve been blown away by the reaction since it occurred in December. I have had so many great messages from colleagues, friends and family. It was brilliant to be involved in such a happy outcome and in the middle of all the Covid difficulties it really cheered people up to hear some positive news.” Gemma intends to meet up more formally with Lily and her parents after the pandemic.
New College Chair
The Home Secretary has appointed Conservative peer Lord (Nick) Herbert of South Downs as the new Chair of the College of Policing Board, replacing Christine Elliott. The former Arundel and Downs MP was the policing
minister from 2010-12 and oversaw the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners as well as controversial reforms of police pay and pensions. PFEW Chair John Apter said: “The College of
Policing is such an important part of policing so it’s essential we work closely with them on behalf of the 130,000 police ofcers we represent. I look forward to meeting Lord Herbert and developing a constructive relationship on behalf of our members.”
Ex-First Minister addresses Fed
Wales’ former First Minister Carwyn Jones was among the speakers at an online event organised by the Federation’s Welsh Affairs Sub-Committee. Titled Policing Matters in Wales:
Understanding the Challenges, it included inputs from Member of the Senedd Dr Dai Lloyd and Paul Morris from the Police Liaison Unit (PLU), which is funded by the four Welsh Forces. Mark Bleasdale, PFEW’s Welsh
lead, said: “There are differences between how the Welsh Senedd works compared to Westminster, so we felt it would be interesting to ask leading politicians to speak about their work and how we can seek to influence on members’ behalf.” In his speech, Mr Jones
pointed out that Wales was the only country in the UK not to have devolved justice and policing services and explained the law-making processes.
Nick O’Time By Colin Whittock
FEBRUARY 2021 | POLICE | 07
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