West Mids PC honoured by Queen

12 June 2021

A West Midlands PC has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours which were announced yesterday.

PC Stewart (Stew) Bladen received the prestigious award for services to football policing over the years and his work on behaviour contracts for youth offenders and education for adult offenders. 

“I honestly didn’t believe it until the Chief’s secretary confirmed it the next day. I’m humbled and embarrassed – but it’s the best thing that’s happened in my career of 27½ years. I never considered that a PC would be considered for a Queen’s Police Medal,” said Stew, who is a Force football spotter and liaison officer.

“This award isn’t just something for me. It’s a recognition for my team, too, which is the best football policing team in the country.”

Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands Police Federation, congratulated Stew on the accolade.

“I am absolutely delighted for Stew and his family. It is great to see him honoured in this way for his service to the Force, to the communities we serve and particularly to our local football clubs,” he said.

West Midlands PCSO Rob Capella has also been awarded the QPM.

He said: “It’s a great honour - it’s wonderful to be recognised for doing your job and it’s not something that happens every day. Ideally, the whole team would be recognised but I’m honoured to take it on their behalf.”

Jon added: “Well done, Rob – it is great to see your work acknowledged in this way.”