Julie awarded British Empire Medal

5 January 2022

A West Midlands Police officer who has led pioneering projects to tackle youth exploitation and violence against women has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM).

Sergeant Julie Harrison, who has served in Coventry for 25 years, received the honour in recognition of her efforts to protect and support some of the city’s most vulnerable communities.

Julie has spent all of her distinguished policing career within Coventry apart from a brief six-month secondment. She has been based across the city before moving to her current role within the City of Culture Policing Team around two years ago.

West Midlands Police Federation chair Rich Cooke said: “Julie has rightly been honoured for the outstanding work she has carried out across Coventry for many years.

“I have rang her to offer my congratulations on behalf of the Federation. The thing that’s striking about Julie is her modesty and good humour after years of outstanding public service particularly striving to bring diverse communities together and help build the strong sense of community and shared values which back up the rule of law. It is wonderful to see her honoured and this recognition is so well deserved.”
Over the years Julie has spearheaded a range of innovative projects aimed at supporting young people, diverting them away from gangs and protecting them from exploitation.

She has also been a driving force in developing schemes to safeguard women and help and support victims of domestic abuse.

Julie is passionate about supporting refugees and migrants who have made Coventry their home and has been instrumental in several programmes to support refugees and promote community cohesion alongside local partners.

As part of the Coventry City of Culture policing team, she is trailblazing the use of arts and creativity to improve our communication with the public and to tackle community safety priorities.

Julie – who will receive the award under her married name, Godwin – said: “I’m really surprised but also incredibly humbled. It’s a proud moment and one I never expected.

“I’ve got a real passion for Coventry, I’ve spent my whole career here and I am very proud to call it home.

“There are some absolutely fantastic people doing some fantastic things right across the city and it’s a privilege to be part of the City of Culture team.

“Throughout my policing career I’ve always tried to do what I can to make lives better and that will never change.”

Clare Gollop, director of the West Midlands Violence and Reduction Unit (VRM), also received the BEM in the New Year Honours as did Janice Mathias for her voluntary work with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s custody visitor scheme.