A BRAVE police officer is in line for a national bravery award after tackling a woman minutes after she had murdered her mother.

PC Jacqueline Ellis has been nominated for a Police Bravery Award after she responded to a report of a woman with a knife in the middle of Boscombe.

The officer, who was just eight months out of training when the incident took place, was on routine patrol when the call came in that a woman was walking through the town brandishing a large blood stained knife in August 2010.

It was quickly established that the offender, Ecila Henderson, was known to the police, had mental health issues and had allegedly stabbed and killed her mother, 69-year-old Rosemary Armstrong.

As PC Ellis made her way to the incident, she was flagged down by a member of the public who pointed out Henderson, who was clutching the blood-stained knife and walking towards a mother and two young children.

Single-handedly the officer confronted the woman, who refused to put down the weapon and tackled her and disarmed her using PAVA spray before detaining her until back-up arrived.

The nomination entry in the awards brochure reads:

"As PC Ellis made her way to track the woman, she was flagged down by a member of the public who pointed her out. Clutching the blood stained knife, she was walking towards a woman and two young children. 

"Single-crewed PC Ellis fled her vehicle and confronted the woman, instructing her to put down
her weapon. The woman refused and menacingly brandished her weapon.

"The woman posed a significant and very real threat to members of the public; having killed her mother earlier that day.

"Knowing this, PC Ellis showed exemplary bravery and calm in the face of potential
danger. Her selfless actions and fearlessness are a testament to her professionalism and act as an example to us all.

Clive Chamberlain, chairman of Dorset Police Federation said: “This was an amazingly brave act from a single-crewed officer - who at the time was only out of her probation by 8 months. The offender was dangerous - still armed and had already killed someone.”

Ecila Henderson, who has mental health issues, was charged with her mother’s murder and pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter at Winchester Crown Court last year.

She was handed a hospital order, which was given on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The awards ceremony takes place today in London and PC Ellis will also be attending a reception at 10 Downing Street.