Celebrating our Specials officers recognised in King's Birthday Honours List

We would like to congratulate two of our Specials who received recognition in the King's Birthday Honours List.

Special Sergeant Mike Leonard and Special Constable Hitesh Mehta were yesterday (12 June) recognised for their work in the King's Birthday Honours.

The volunteering duo were both awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for their dedication towards helping, and protecting, others as volunteer officers.

Hitesh, who grew up in Hillfields in Coventry, became a Special Constable in 2003 because he wanted to make a difference to his local community. He continues to actively volunteer within both policing and his local community. Alongside this, he is a charity trustee at Shree Krishna Temple, Coventry. Hitesh has been involved with the Temple since the age of seven and has maintained a strong commitment to faith and community service throughout his life.

During his time working as a Special, Hitesh has met His Majesty King Charles on two occasions; during his visit to mark Coventry's City of Culture and the opening of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Hitesh has previously been awarded the Platinum Champion award by Her Majesty The Queen as part of the Royal Voluntary Service, along with a host of other awards for his commitment to volunteering in policing and the community. He has taken on leadership roles within Special policing, which included helping Special Constables obtaining their IPS (Independent Patrol Status) and within Learning & Development, supporting new Special Constables in training.

Mike has been awarded the BEM for his dedication towards helping, and protecting, others as a volunteer officer for almost 50 years.

He has contributed over 20,000 hours of his own time as a Special Constable and has been involved in a number of important initiatives.

These have included the installation of weapon disposal bins in Solihull to support the reduction of knife crime.

Mike also secured funding for thousands of bike marking kits to deter thieves and has worked with partners around retail link radios in Shirley.

Furthermore, he has helped mentor scores of other Specials with a large number going on to become full-time officers.

Special Chief Officer, Steven Rice, said: "We are extremely proud of Mike and Hitesh for receiving these awards.

"They have selflessly volunteered many, many years to making a difference in policing and within communities.

"These honours are well-deserved and, like everyone at WMP, I want to say a massive thank you and congratulations."

Special constables are volunteer police officers. They have the same powers as a regular officer. Taking part in frontline work, the role can be what you make of it from ensuring public safety to preventing, tackling and investigating incidents, all while building positive relationships in the area you work in.

For more information about a career as a special constable go to  https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/police-forces/west-midlands-police/areas/careers/wmp-jobs/special-constable/