Tom Temple is rightly deserving of an award, not any award and not presented in any ordinary surroundings. For it is Tom Temple who was honoured on 7 October 2013 at the prestigious occasion of the Annual Dinner of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (WCoSP).
The dinner was held at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in the City of London and attended by some 200 guests and a number of dignitaries, notably: The Lord Imbert CVO QPM DL QPM JP; Alderman and Sheriff Sir Paul Judge; Sheriff Adrian Waddingham CBE; Professor Paul Jarrett FRCS the Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers; Colonel David Neal, Royal Military Police and Lieutenant Colonel Sue Pillar, Intelligence Corps.
Each year the Company administers, on behalf of the Sheriffs of the City of London, an award for an outstanding act of bravery by a member of the UK community.
On the 3 November 2012, the 2013 recipient Tom Temple, a logistics consultant, reacted to a life-threatening situation without regard for his own personal safety. Tom will probably argue that he was just doing his civic duty, when he decided to apprehend an individual who threatened a taxi driver with a handgun.
Not only did Tom, who was with his wife at the time, pin the criminal to the ground until the police arrived, he also prevented a number of bystanders from picking up the handgun, which was now on the road, and controlled an initially hostile crowd who thought that he was apprehending an innocent civilian. His actions kept the local community safe, preserved the scene and resulted in the criminal receiving a two and a half year custodial sentence.
Following the formal reading of his citation, Tom was presented with a magnificent trophy, framed certificate and a cheque for £2000 by the Sheriffs. Mr Temple’s name will also be recorded on both the Honours Board and the Book of Honour located at the Central Criminal Court – The Old Bailey.
When asked for his views on the Award and the night’s proceedings, Tom stated that “It is overwhelming; I am a quiet man and am truly honoured.” Clearly Tom should be honoured, as reiterated by the Sheriff Sir Paul Judge: “The Company embodies the relationship between private enterprise and the community: partnership is what makes things happen and we all know the courage that Mr Temple displayed in order to receive such an award… Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
The search for the 2014 recipient has now begun and the Company welcomes nominations from industry, the community, military and emergency services. To nominate an individual as deserving as Tom Temple, please go to www.wcosp.com/index.php/the-sheriffs-award.
About the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals
The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (WCoSP) is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company is a charitable organization providing education and health services to members of the security professional community. Membership of the Company is drawn from the Security Industry including leading security professionals from the industrial and retail sectors, serving and retired members of the police and armed services, security consultants, academics, heads of security for corporate businesses, investigators and electronic surveillance companies.
Links
www.wcosp.org
www.wcosp.com/index.php/the-sheriffs-award
