Two volunteer police officers in the West Midlands have been recognised with British Empire Medals in the King’s Birthday Honours List.<\/p>\n
Special Sgt Mike Leonard and Special Con Hitesh Mehta were recognised for their dedication towards helping and protecting people as volunteer officers.<\/p>\n
Leonard has given more than 20,000 hours of his own time over the course of nearly 50 years as a volunteer officer and has been involved in a number of initiatives, including efforts to tackle knife crime in Solihull.<\/p>\n
Mehta, who grew up in Hillfields in Coventry, became a special constable in 2003 and said he wanted to make a difference in his local community.<\/p>\n
Special constables are volunteer police officers with the same powers as a regular officer.<\/p>\n
They take part in frontline work, and can be called to get involved in preventing, tackling and investigating incidents, as well as public safety initiatives.<\/p>\n
During his time working as a volunteer officer, Mehta has met King Charles on two occasions – during his visit to mark Coventry’s City of Culture and at the opening of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.<\/p>\n
He was previously awarded the platinum champion award by The Queen as part of the Royal Voluntary Service, and has taken on leadership roles within special policing.<\/p>\n
This has included helping special constables obtaining their independent patrol status and supporting new officers with their training.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Leonard has been a special constable for almost half a century and among his many achievements, he has helped secure funding for thousands of bike marking kits to deter thieves.<\/p>\n
He has helped mentor many other specials, with a large number going on to become full-time officers.<\/p>\n
Steven Rice, special chief officer, said the force was extremely proud of Mehta and Leonard.<\/p>\n
“They have selflessly volunteered many, many years to making a difference in policing and within communities,” he said.<\/p>\n
“These honours are well-deserved and, like everyone at West Midlands Police, I want to say a massive thank you and congratulations.”<\/p>\n
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