A POLICE inspector who is thought to be the first Muslim officer on Solihull’s streets has been to Buckingham Palace to collect a top award.
Mustafa Mohammed from West Midlands Police was named on the New Year’s Honours list for a Queen’s Police Medal – an award given to police officers for gallantry or distinguished service.
He attended a special ceremony along with his family where he was given his award for his work on inter-police Muslim relations by Prince Charles.
Insp Mohammed, who lives in Shirley, said going to the palace was a proud moment.
He said: “I was totally shocked when I found out my chief constable had nominated me, it came out of the blue.
“I was totally overwhelmed when I received the award.
“I believe I am the first Muslim officer to receive such an award.
“The award and the day would have made my mum very proud.
“It is a moment that will be chatted about in my family and passed on for years to come.”
When he joined the force in 1986, he was one of a small number of Muslim officers but 20 years later he went on to form the West Midlands Police Muslim Association, of which he is the current chair.
The 57-year-old is also president of the National Association of Muslim Police.
He has helped examine the issue of Islamophobic hate crime, and built the force’s relationship with the Muslim community, while encouraging members to join the force.
Insp Mohammed said he spent around 19 years serving on the frontline before taking up his more recent roles.
He says many moments would stay with him from catching criminals to being there when people died.
