Officers, staff and volunteers were recognised for their contribution to Dorset Police at an awards ceremony.

A total of 27 awards and medals were presented during the ceremony, which was held at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester.

Honours handed out included the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Police Staff Long Service Medal, Special Constabulary Long Service Medal and Chief Constable's Commendations.

Police Constable Clive Chamberlain received the Chief Constable's Lifetime Achievement Award.

PC Chamberlain has served with Dorset Police for over 33 years and was a special constable before joining the regulars.

During his service he worked as a uniformed officer in Swanage, Weymouth, Dorchester and Beaminster and received a number of top commendations.

In January 1999, PC Chamberlain was elected onto the Dorset Police Federation as a representative. He quickly became the discipline lead before being elected Chairman in March 2003. He retires from the Force this month.

PC Chamberlain said: “I was very surprised and humbled to receive the lifetime achievement award. I have been fortunate to have worked with a great team, particularly within the Police Federation, who have helped me enormously. This award recognises all of their hard work.”

A number of Dorset Police officers received a Chief Constable Commendation.

Police Sergeant William Bulloch, Police Constable Robert Elliott, Police Constable Rebecca Joyce, Police Constable Louise Roberts and Police Constable Ben Martin were commended by Dorset Police's Chief Constable Debbie Simpson for their courageous actions while dealing with a violent domestic incident in Boscombe on Tuesday 15 January 2013.

When officers forced entry to the address they were faced with a man screaming and shouting, holding a knife to a woman's throat and making threats to kill.

They discovered pools of blood inside the property and a seriously injured woman.

Sgt Bulloch, a trained negotiator, attempted to speak to the man and after a few minutes the offender momentarily released his grip of the woman. This gave Sgt Bulloch an opportunity to pull the woman to safety and allowed PC Joyce to deploy her Taser, disarming the man and allowing officers to arrest him.

Chief Constable Debbie Simpson said: “All of the officers involved in this incident are commended for their calm, professional and courageous actions in dealing with a highly charged and traumatic situation; actions which without doubt saved the woman from serious life threatening injuries.”

The man involved subsequently pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and breaching a restraining order and was sentenced to six years in prison.

Now retired Chief Superintendent David Griffith received a Commendation for his efforts in leading Dorset Police's Olympic planning team. His roles included acting as senior Security Co-ordinator for delivering the London and Paralympic sailing events in Dorset and leading the Olympic Torch Relay Policing operation in the South West.