Bravery award nomination for off-duty PC

PC Demar Rowe spoke to and restrained a man wielding an electric saw for 20 minutes

An off-duty police officer who single-handedly restrained a man wielding an electric saw has been nominated for a National Police Bravery Award.

PC Demar Rowe was travelling to work on in Ferndown, Dorset, on 9 August 2023 when he stopped and used a decorating sheet to cover a man to distract him and wrestle the tool out of his hands.

Dorset Police Chief Constable Amanda Pearson said his action were "nothing short of remarkable".

The National Police Bravery Awards 2025 ceremony will take place in July.

When PC Rowe first spotted the man he was agitated, walking in front of traffic and attempting to lie down in the middle of Golf Links Road.

After PC Rowe pulled over and spoke to the man, he went back to his vehicle for the electric saw, which had a blade bigger than 1ft (30cm) long, switched it on, and swung it at PC Rowe before attempting to harm himself.

PC Rowe got the decorating sheet from the back of the man's vehicle and used it to cover him, then grappled the saw from his hands and held him in a bear hug grip while another person called the police.

In total, he was interacting with the man alone for about 20 minutes, Dorset Police said.

"Even though he was off-duty, Demar put himself in harm's way to safeguard not only the individual involved, but other nearby members of public," said Ms Pearson.

"I am so proud that he is a member of our force. He is an inspiration and epitomises the very best of policing."