POLICE officers who tackled a gunman following a dramatic town centre stand-off have been commended for their bravery.

In August, Daniel Shields was shot with a baton by Cleveland Police officers after roaming the streets of Middlesbrough armed with a gun.

Shields had been reported to the police by a concerned member of the public who spotted him carrying a firearm – later found to be an imitation handgun – in the town centre in the early hours of Sunday, August 7.

Police officers cordoned off streets after finding the gunman putting his weapon to his own head close to the Holiday Inn on Corporation Road, near to revellers making their way home from nights out.

The tense stand-off that followed lasted more than an hour and saw Shields, then 21, wave his weapon and alternate between telling police to shoot him and not to before putting the barrel of his gun into his mouth.

Officers were forced to discharge a baton round to prevent the gunman from fleeing the scene and were also assisted in detaining him by a police dog.

Shields, from Ormesby, was eventually jailed for 41 months while the officers who helped to manage the scene have now been praised for their bravery.

Iain Spittal, Chief Constable of Cleveland Police, handed out commendations to the unarmed officers who were first at the scene last month.

Chief Con Spitall said: “The unarmed officers continued to provide succinct updates on the male, despite the subject waving the handgun in an aggressive manner towards them, until the armed units arrived.

“The armed response team along with dog section were able to contain the male with clear guidance to consider less lethal options.

“With the male continuing his threats he was successfully disarmed after the police dog and a baton round were used to disarm him.

“All officers involved remained professional and calm.

“These attributes coupled with their teamwork contributed to a safe and proportionate resolution of a potentially life-threatening situation.”

In recognition of their accountability, selflessness and objectivity when dealing with the incident, the following officers were awarded a Chief Constable’s Commendation: PC Shahid Ahmed, Sergeant Anthony Costello, PC Paul Crowley, PC Russell Doherty, PC Sarah Evans, Sergeant Paul Faulkner, PC James Groves, PC Matthew Holman, Sergeant Anthony Simpson, PC Shaun Townsend, PC Darren Walker, PC John Walker, PC Darren Williamson, PC Lee Wilson and PC Adam Woodland.