Two East London Police Officers Who Showed Outstanding Bravery Safely Detaining A Vulnerable Man With A Gun-Have Been Nominated For National Police Bravery Awards.

Two Metropolitan Police officers who safely detained a vulnerable individual with a gun in 2023 have been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2025.

On the 7 October 2023, the east London officers had a call from a concerned member of the public who had received a message from a friend who was clearly in distress.

The message explained possibilities of life-threatening self-harm and extreme mental distress including suicidal intentions.

PC James McDowall and a second PC were dispatched to the address in Tower Hamlets. When they arrived, they were met by family members who opened the door and directed the officers to the man’s bedroom.

The bedroom door had been locked, so PC McDowall and his colleague knocked on the door and asked if he was safe and well. They explained calmly that he needed to open the door so they could see him and check on his welfare.

Whilst this was taking place, numerous members of the man’s family had gathered outside on the landing. It was at this point that the man turned hostile and began shouting and swearing at the officers, telling them to leave the house.

Then came a moment of silence and the sound of a firearm being racked. The bedroom door was then opened, and the man stood in the doorway with what looked like a gun in his hand.

PC McDowall said: “I heard a rattling metal sound and thought: ‘Is that what I think it is?’. I backed off slightly, then the door opened, and I saw he was holding what looked to be a black handgun. Throughout my career I don’t think I’ve ever really feared for my safety before, but I did then.

“I could see his hand was starting to come up, and I thought: ‘I don’t want him doing anything stupid towards me or his family’. I was wearing body armour, but his family didn’t have any protection. I figured if something’s going to happen, I’d rather it happens to me. So I ran at him and pushed him back into the room. I was just focused on grabbing his hand.”

The two police officers then tackled the man onto a nearby bed where PC McDowall grabbed the firearm out of the man’s hand and a struggle followed. The officers were then able to detain the man safely and arrest him.

The firearm was removed and on closer inspection it was found to be an air pistol. The man was taken into custody, where the CPS decided to discontinue the case.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Federation said: “PC McDowall and PC A showed huge bravery in disarming a volatile man, despite both officers being unarmed themselves. Their actions really demonstrate the adage that officers run towards danger.”

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