A policeman who saved a woman’s life on his first shift was among officers rewarded for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh presented commendations, one of the highest honours he can give, in recognition of their efforts.

PC Luke Gamman, based at Westcliff, revived a woman who was found unconscious at Rochford train station on his first day in the job, supervised by PC John Skingsley.

PC Gamman said: “I was pretty nervous anyway because it was my first day, but the training kicked in and we managed to help the lady regain consciousness.”

Sergeant Ben Woollard, from the Basildon team, saved a man’s life while he was off-duty playing football in Rochford. He said: “I was playing football with friends in Februarywhenaman from the other team had a heart attack.

“I put him in the recovery position and I asked people to call 999.

“He stopped breathing and his pulse stopped so I did CPR. Then we used a defibrillator and brought him back.”

It was later established the man was fortunate to have survived and only did so due to Sgt Woollard’s actions.

Four Shoebury officers, Sgt Tracey Butt and PCs David Gardiner, Tracey Cornish and Sharon Blaxland, were also recognised for saving the life of a woman who suffered a suspected heart attack.

They gave her life-saving CPR until paramedics arrived..

PCs Anthony Brackett, Blake Sanders, LukeWilliams and Lindsay Wigington, all based at Southend, attempted to save a Westcliff man by giving him CPR.

Unfortunately he later died.

Mr Kavanagh added: “These officers are truly brave.”