Outstanding Performance

Sergeant Chris Clelland, newly appointed Officer in Charge of the Bridgetown police station explains how a day unfolded which resulted in an outstanding performance.

“On Tuesday 5 August a 23-year-old Bridgetown woman entered the Blackwood River and was being swept down river in the fast-flowing water.

“Tom Bolas, who works as a groundsman at Ford House, heard a yell and spotted the woman being sweep away and ran to the house staff to get them to dial triple zero, and then raced back to the river.

“Running along the river he was keeping an eye on the women being swept along, when she managed to catch and hold on to a fallen tree for support. Tom entered the water and swam to her aid, holding on to her and giving reassurance.

“Meanwhile Senior Constable Mike Smith arrives on the scene, removes all his police kit and stows it in his car, locking the vehicle and then depositing the keys with a lovely lady for safe keeping and asking her to ‘please look after my police car’. He then runs along the river bank until he finds Tom and the woman stranded clinging on to a log, he also enters the water and swims to their assistance.

“Tom by this time is a spent force, but both Tom and Mike get the woman to the river’s edge, with Tom then going to intercept and guide the emergency services’ ambulance to the scene.

“Not being able to lift the young woman out of the water, Mike was having to stay with her in the water, then, with the emergency services help the young woman was brought safely ashore. The incident ending well with no casualties.”

On Thursday 12th August, whilst in the area, Commissioner of Police Col Blanch, his staff officer Superintendent Tony Vuleta, along with Superintendent in Charge of South West Policing Paul Van Noort attended a ceremony to issue certificates to 77-year-old Tom Bolas and Senior Constable Mike Smith.

This is some of what Commissioner Col Blanch said when presenting the Certificates:

“To Tom, this is a Certificate of Outstanding Performance from me. We will be recommending you for other ongoing awards, the certificate is because this has happened literally only five days ago.

“It is timely for me being here for other reasons, but I take the opportunity to say thank you in recognition in your actions.

“And for Mike this is a Certificate of Meritorious Conduct, likewise, you did your sworn duty, you did your duty that day mate, and I know you have done your duty many, many times as you are a very well accomplished police officer, but this just shows how lucky we are to have cops like you in the job.”

Senior Constable Mike then expressed his thoughts, “I’d like to say thanks for this presentation, it does mean a lot.

You are right with what you just said, what I did is perceived as part and parcel of my job, so I don’t expect gratitude and thanks, but it is nice when it comes along.

“I’d also like to say well done to Tom.”

Tom had this to say, “I did what I did because I was so worried for the girl, and I am just so grateful everything turned out so well for her in the end.

“I what to thank Mike for jumping in and helping me and the girl, I was so exhausted towards the end.”

Commissioner Col Blanch concluded with. “I hope all those present today are proud of what you have just heard, because I am. As the Police Commissioner, I am fortunate to see and hear of acts of bravery and heroism every day, but it is a rare event to have a member of the public step forward and to do exactly what they are not required to do, that is to save another person’s life.

“This is the epitome of what we are in Australia, and that is, people who look after each other and have the right mind set to help others. I think there is, in Tom’s and Mike’s actions a lesson for all of us to look up to.”