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Back to main news pageBravery Award for Scottish PECCs officer
A senior Reliance Officer has won a commendation from British Transport Police, SIX years after he helped them arrest two violent men.
Garry Buchanan, 39, was working as a railwayman at Perth railway station when staff on the train reported two men had assaulted another passenger.
When the men were put off the train, Garry followed them for over a mile through the centre of Perth until British Transport Police were able to arrest them.
British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable David McCall presented Garry with an Area Commanders Commendation at a special ceremony at Glasgow City Chambers on Wednesday March 19.
Garry, a father of six from Letham in Perth, who now works as Senior Custody Officer at Reliance’s Perth vehicle base said: “I didn’t really do that much.
“But I was determined they were not going to get away scot-free.
“The guard pointed them out when they got off the train, and I followed them for about a mile keeping in touch with the station over a two-way radio.
“The BTP officers had to come from Dundee, and when they got to Perth I was able to give them an exact location where they could arrest the two men.”
Garry who joined Reliance for four years ago said: “I always wanted to do this sort of work, so I really enjoy what I am doing.”
His role involves managing Reliance’s local fleet of vehicles, and ensuring that they are properly staffed to transport prisoners to and from Perth Prison, local police stations and the court.
The citation for Garry’s Area Commander’s Commendation reads: “For his brave actions on Tuesday 23 April 2002 at Perth Railway Station, when with disregard for his own safety he followed a violent pair of individuals who had assaulted a woman.”
A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “We only have these ceremonies every few years, and on checking our records realised that Garry had not been officially presented with his Commendation. So we took this opportunity to rectify that situation.”