Page 22 - WMPF Federation FEB-MAR 2022_Neat

NEW YEAR HONOURS

Julie

awarded

British

Empire

Medal

Sergeant Julie Harrison.

West Midlands Police officer who has “I have rung her to offer my Coventry their home and has been
led pioneering projects to tackle youth congratulations on behalf of the Federation. instrumental in several programmes to support
A xploitation and violence against The thing that’s striking about Julie is her refugees and promote community cohesion
e
women has been awarded the British Empire modesty and good humour after years of alongside local partners.
Medal (BEM). outstanding public service particularly striving As part of the Coventry City of Culture
Sergeant Julie Harrison, who has served in to bring diverse communities together and policing team, she is trailblazing the use of arts
Coventry for 25 years, received the honour in help build the strong sense of community and and creativity to improve our communication
recognition of her efforts to protect and shared values which back up the rule of law. It with the public and to tackle community safety
support some of the city’s most vulnerable is wonderful to see her honoured and this priorities.
communities. recognition is so well deserved.” Julie – who will receive the award under
Julie has spent all of her distinguished Over the years Julie has spearheaded a her married name, Godwin – said: “I’m really
policing career within Coventry apart from a range of innovative projects aimed at surprised but also incredibly humbled. It’s a
brief six-month secondment. She has been supporting young people, diverting them away proud moment and one I never expected.
based across the city before moving to her from gangs and protecting them from “I’ve got a real passion for Coventry, I’ve
current role within the City of Culture Policing exploitation. spent my whole career here and I am very
Team around two years ago. She has also been a driving force in proud to call it home.
West Midlands Police Federation chair Rich developing schemes to safeguard women and “There are some absolutely fantastic
Cooke said: “Julie has rightly been honoured for help and support victims of domestic abuse. people doing some fantastic things right across
the outstanding work she has carried out Julie is passionate about supporting the city and it’s a privilege to be part of the
across Coventry for many years. refugees and migrants who have made City of Culture team.
tried to do what I can to make lives better and
“Throughout my policing career I’ve always
“ THERE ARE SOME ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC PEOPLE DOING that will never change.”

Clare Gollop, director of the West Midlands
Violence and Reduction Unit (VRM), also
SOME FANTASTIC THINGS RIGHT ACROSS THE CITY AND IT’S A
did Janice Mathias for her voluntary work with
PRIVILEGE TO BE PART OF THE CITY OF CULTURE TEAM. received the BEM in the New Year Honours as
the West Midlands Police and Crime
Commissioner’s custody visitor scheme.

22 federation February/March 2022 www.polfed.org/westmids