Student officer who saved a man's life wins award

PC Lucinda Niemz chased a suspect with two zombie knives and a knuckle duster

A student police officer who saved a man's life and thwarted a man with weapons has won a force award.

PC Lucinda Niemz from Staffordshire Police was awarded "Student Officer of the Year", during a ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Lichfield.

The force commended her "high standard of investigation and care", after a man was seriously injured in a car crash and acknowledged her bravery after she chased a suspect with two zombie knives and a knuckle duster before detaining him.

PC Niemz said: "I feel grateful to have been nominated and delighted to go on to win this award."

Staffordshire Police said she had already shown "a number of exceptional skills, across a number of challenging incidents".

A colleague praised how she remained "cool, calm and collected" during a high pressure and high emotion incident and added how she is able to "strike the perfect balance between professionalism and empathy".

PC Niemz said she worked alongside "a fantastic team of individuals" and thanked them for their support since she started in the role.