ONE OF Bromsgrove’s boys in blue has been recognised for his years of dedication to mental health programmes within the police force.
Michael Brown, from Sidemoor was awarded the OBE on Sunday (June 12) as part of HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Mr Brown has spent several years in West Midlands Police Service but two years ago he was appointed as the College of Policing’s mental health co-ordinator and helps create programmes which prepare officers for dealing with vulnerable people and ensuring they access the right services.
“It was a total shock when I got the award,” he said.
“I have been chipping away at this for years now and at times, about ten years ago, it felt like I was talking to myself.
“In the last four or five days I have just been overwhelmed with messages of congratulations.
“I think this recognition just shows how important this topic has become.”
Mr Brown said 40 per cent of the incidents officers attended were connected to mental health in some way.
The victim maybe a vulnerable person or police may be called to an incident where the person actually needs mental health assistance rather than help from the officers.
“We want to work closer with mental health services so vulnerable people get the help the need and officers are not spending their entire shift in a hospital.
