AN inspirational police detective – who mentors aspiring CID detectives including students in Coventry, Solihull and Bournville – has won a top honour at the national Asian Women of Achievement Awards.
Detective sergeant Neata Simpson, 43, has also been at the forefront of West Midlands Police’s family matters initiative, ensuring support and flexible systems are in place to enable women with families to fulfil their aspirations within police.
The 43-year-old was highlighted as a role model in public service in her job as professional development unit supervisor for the force.
Mum-of-two Neata, who is also a fully trained hostage and crisis negotiator, was nominated in the public service category and was announced as the winner during an online awards ceremony last week.
Shocked to be shortlisted let alone win, she said: “I genuinely didn’t think I would win, especially up against some of the amazing women in my category.
“I felt emotional. It was amazing that the judges had recognised me as a police officer. I felt that it wasn’t just me they were awarding but all the other amazing police officers out there as we do a job like no other.
“When I joined the police I was so proud. I would never have dreamt that I would go on to be a detective, then a detective sergeant, and now a hostage and crisis negotiator as well as having two amazing girls.
“The force has so much to offer and anything is possible you just have to have the determination and resilience to pursue your dreams. My overarching desire is to be the best role model to my two girls, I want to show them that there are no limits to what they can achieve.”
Neata, who joined the service in 2002, plays a key role in helping aspiring detectives of the future through the CID professional development unit, not only supporting and mentor student officers, but assisting staff to have a policing career alongside a family.
