Police officer honoured for bravery in Swindon after saving woman's life
PC Leo Koca commended for heroic actions during critical incident
A Wiltshire Police officer has been honoured with a Chief Constable's Commendation for his courageous actions during a critical incident in Swindon earlier this year.
PC Leo Koca demonstrated exceptional bravery when he intervened to save the life of a vulnerable woman at the Orbital Shopping Centre on 9th January 2026.
During the incident, the woman poured flammable liquid over herself and set herself alight before officers could intervene.
PC Koca, who was nearby conducting enquiries, quickly tackled the woman to the ground and began extinguishing the flames with his bare hands, risking significant personal injury.
In recounting the incident, PC Koca shared, "During the incident, I kind of went into autopilot and just dealt with what I had in front of me. It wasn't until afterwards that I realised what had actually happened and how close she came to being seriously injured."
His actions resulted in blistering to his hands, showcasing his willingness to place himself in harm's way to protect another.
PC Koca stated, "I joined the police to help people. It might sound cliché, but I genuinely want to make a difference and support people who may be having the worst day of their life. Being able to offer help and reassurance when people need it most is one of the reasons I became a police officer."
The commendation celebrates the courage, professionalism, and compassion exhibited by PC Koca during this life-threatening situation.
His prompt response and selfless actions were instrumental in preventing a tragic outcome, embodying the highest standards of policing.
PC Koca, along with his colleagues, has also been nominated for a national Police Federation Bravery Award.