A police officer from Dewsbury has recently been down to London to collect the Queen’s Police Medal, which he was awarded in the Birthday Honours list.

PC Mohammed Aziz, who has already collected a number of awards and honours in the past, explained that he was recognised for his role of liaising between the police and Asian community during times of hostility: “It [the award] is a culmination of the work that I have done over the past few years in Dewsbury as a community officer, just normal work I have been doing in the community and I was put forward by the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police.”

Mohammed is very modest, but he has already been named Community Police Officer of the Year in 2007 for showing excellence in policing following his efforts to restore calm after the 7/7 bombings in London. He explained that he would like Asian youngsters in the region to aspire to reach the heights he has reached: “I think Asian people could see me as some sort of a role model, it shows that anyone from any background, can achieve whatever they want if they work hard enough,” he said.

The ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace and acknowledged heroes from all walks of life: “Meeting other people who were receiving MBEs and OBEs was a great privilege, people coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq. Seeing the work and effort these people put in made be proud,” said Mohammed.

It also gave him the chance to take his parents away from Dewsbury, something which in itself appears to be quite an achievement as Mohammed explained: “I felt so humbled, my parents hadn’t left West Yorkshire since they moved to this country and to take them to Buckingham Palace with me on the day was great. It was an experience we will never forget,” he said.

“I would like to extend a special thank you to my parents and my family and also my colleagues at Dewsbury Police Station.”