Suffolk Special ‘humbled’ by award

5 January 2022

Suffolk Police Federation chair Darren Harris has paid tribute to veteran Force Special Paul Booker who was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

Paul, from Lowestoft, has dedicated thousands of hours as a volunteer Special Constable over the last 33 years and is now Special Superintendent in East Suffolk.

Darren said: “Paul is a key figure in the Suffolk Special Constabulary and it is only right that he has been recognised after all the years of volunteering.

“Whether he is out on the frontline providing visible policing and assisting officers or tutoring new Special Constables, the dedication with which he serves the community is commendable.”

Paul first stepped out onto the beat as a Special Constable for the Metropolitan Police in 1989 and completed 17 years’ service in the capital before transferring to Suffolk in 2006.

He said he was “very humbled” when told he was to receive a BEM for services to policing and praised his family, friends and colleagues for their “fantastic”  support and understanding.