A POLICE officer has received an award following his pursuit and arrest of a man who had threatened him with a gun.

PC Steven Roots, a dog handler from the Metropolitan Police south east dog unit, received the Commissioner's Commendation for bravery and determination.

Presented to him last week by Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, the award is the second highest honour a Met officer can achieve, after the Commissioner's Higher Commendation which is awarded for supreme courage.

PC Roots and his police dog, Millie, were on patrol in an unmarked car in Peckham in November 2004 as part of a safer streets initiative.

During his rounds, PC Roots, who lives in Keston, Bromley, noticed a man behaving suspiciously who then ran off when challenged.

PC Roots and Millie pursued the man, who dropped a bag, which was later found to contain a sub-machine gun with silencer and 15 rounds of ammunition.

He then turned towards PC Roots, 47, and pointed a handgun at him, before two-year-old German shepherd Millie knocked the gun from the man's hands.

The man continued to run with Millie on his heels and was found on his back in a park with both hands around the dog's throat.

PC Roots was joined by extra police units who struggled with the suspect as they tried to get him to release the dog.

Eventually, Kingsley Opoku, of Nine Elms, was handcuffed and arrested.

Opoku was charged with various firearms offences.

He was sentenced to 11 years behind bars at Inner London Crown Court.

PC Roots said: "We have been recognised for doing a good job, which I am very proud of.

"These days people don't seem to get much acknowledgement for their work.

"Millie grew up that day, it was certainly a turning point in her career."