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New Year’s honours

Congratulations…

our officers from the Force named in
the Queen’s New Year Honours have
Fbeen congratulated by West Midlands ‘I thought it was a wind-up’
Police Federation chair Jon Nott.
Among those honoured were two Licensing officer Abdool Rohomon says he got excited as she thought she was
officers from the Federated ranks – Sergeant is humbled to have been nominated by his going to meet the Queen. “She only had
Jim Reid and PC Abdool Rohomon both of colleagues after being awarded the Medal a minor sulk when she realised she
whom become Medallists of the Order of the of the Order of the British Empire. wouldn’t be able to go to the garden
British Empire. PC Rohomon admitted he thought it party and meet the Queen.”
Assistant Chief Constable Sue Southern was a practical joke when he found out PC Rohomon’s role includes ensuring
and Chief Superintendent Claire Bell were about the award. the smooth running of Birmingham’s
awarded the Queen’s Police Medal. He said: “I was at home on Saturday popular Frankfurt Christmas Market.
and this white envelope dropped through “I have worked with the organisers
the post, marked ‘On Her Majesty’s of the Frankfurt Christmas Market for
Service’. around 15 years, and helped them
“I thought ‘oh no, what now?’ I opened develop many of the measures they now
it and thought the paper was very posh put in place,” he said. “It’s not just me,
and then read the letter many times as I though, and there have been many
genuinely thought it was a wind-up. colleagues across many years who have
“I had to call them a couple of weeks done this with me.”
later as I had not heard anything, and the He added: “This is only part of my
person at the Cabinet Office must have role. It also includes what I have done in
thought I was mad as I asked if it was a licensing, ensuring events go ahead
practical joke. safely, which involves scrutinising and
“When I was told I had the award it challenging event organisers, event
started to sink in, but I couldn’t tell manuals, risk assessments.”
anyone as it had to be kept a secret.” PC Rohomon joined the police in
PC Rohomon added: “I feel very September 1991. He started on B Unit
humbled, mainly that three officers that I at Steelhouse Lane Police Station.
look up to and respect think I was worthy He has been a specialist licensing
of such a nomination. officer for 17 years and has advised the
“That they have taken the time to put Home Office on licensing matters. For
this nomination through, and the work the last five years, he has been a
Sergeant Jim Reid. that would have undertaken. I imagine it member of the National Police Chiefs’
was more than just saying ‘he did a good Council sub-licensing group, which is
“I would like to put on record my job’.” made of a small national team of
congratulations to all four officers but I am “It is a very surreal feeling to have the licensing experts, and last year PC
particularly pleased that Jim and Abdool award, something you may dream about Rohomon became the group’s deputy
have been recognised in this way,” says Jon. getting but never expect.” chair.
“At one time, it was quite unusual to see PC Rohomon revealed that his family Did he always want to a police
officers from the Federated ranks listed in was ‘gobsmacked and very proud’ at his officer?
the Queen’s Honours but in recent years we award. He is due to receive it from the “In the main, yes,” he said. “I applied
have seen a real shift towards Lord Lieutenant’s office and will be invited straight out of school and was lucky to
acknowledging those on the front-line who to attend a garden party at Buckingham get in. What do I think it takes to be a
are going over and above what is expected Palace in May. good police officer? Patience, a good ear
of them, making outstanding contributions He said: “My nine-year-old daughter and thick skin.”
to policing and the communities they serve.”
Jim, a neighbourhood officer from I feel very humbled, mainly that three
Stockland Green, has been honoured for his
work within the local community. Licensing “ officers that I look up to and respect think
officer Abdool has been involved in ensuring
the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market I was worthy of such a nomination.
runs smoothly and was honoured for his “
dedication to making sure major events are
operated safely with public protection to the
fore.

www.polfed.org/westmids federation February/March 2020 23