Officers are the Pride of Birmingham

11 May 2021

Two West Midlands Police officers have been honoured at the prestigious Pride of Birmingham awards for the unique contributions they make to their communities.

Frontline officer Emad Choudhury, who is also an Imam at his local mosque, received the Emergency Services Award while Skye Morden, who has served with WMP for 20 years and recently came out as a transgender woman, received a Special Recognition Award.

Emad uses his connections and influence at Balsall Heath's Bahu Trust mosque – where he regularly delivers Friday prayers – to educate young people on the devastating impact of knife crime and gang violence.

The 29-year-old, who joined the Force in 2018, said: “It’s something I’m really passionate about.

“Too many children, including some from my home in Sparkbrook, are being killed and lives ruined through knife crime.

“I know these communities, I live here and I know how it works. I’m trying to use my access to people here to prevent more lost lives and heartache.”

Emad was assigned to the Project Guardian team after spells with the Edgbaston neighbourhood team and a response shift attending emergency calls.

He said: “Project Guardian was a cause close to my heart. I very much have a soft spot for young people and I feel they are a young nation that we are losing.
“So it was a perfect way for me to do something active and reach out to a generation I was passionate about.”

Emad said he was motivated by a desire to make Birmingham the best place possible for young people to grow up.

He explained: “I hope to be blessed with children one day and I want them to grow up safe in the city I love. I will inspire all my children to know that everyone has got the capacity and capability to achieve as long as you are willing to work hard.”

Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands Police Federation, has welcomed Emad’s award.

Jon said: “It is fantastic to see Emad being recognised for his work in his local community and for educating young people around the devastating impact of knife crime and violence on families and individuals. He has shown that you are able to represent your community while fulfilling the role of a police officer and hopefully this will encourage others to follow in his footsteps.”

Fellow Pride of Birmingham winner Skye has been a frontline officer for two decades but said her toughest challenge was telling colleagues she was a transgender woman.

Skye joined the Force in 2001 and was one of the first officers to be trained to use the X26 Taser and is now one of the Midlands’ foremost taser trainers, working with Amnesty International and academics exploring public perception of the use of force.

She said attitudes at work had changed over the years and admitted she would not have felt able to come out earlier in her career.

Skye explained: “Twenty years ago the police was a very different organisation, culturally. I certainly would not have known how to come out. It was just something I locked away. I bottled it away and carried on only telling close friends and family.”

She said the overwhelming support of fellow officers has allowed her to continue her career with a greater inner peace, as well as fly the flag for others who are struggling to be their true selves.

Jon Nott has congratulated Skye on the award. He said: “I am thrilled to see Skye recognised for her work in supporting others in their journey and for the strength of character she has shown in being her true self. I hope that she has shown it is OK to be yourself in the police and that this will allow others to walk their own journeys. I am sure that she will be there to offer support and guidance to others.”