Officer who transformed his life shortlisted for prestigious award
Things could have turned out very differently for the PC.An inspirational officer who turned his life around has been shortlisted for a National Diversity Award.
PC Ben Forbes, 28, a Transformation Directorate at the Met, was nominated by colleagues and young people who he has tirelessly helped within the community.
PC Forbes supports certain BME men, drawing them away from criminal culture and helping them to contribute positively to society.
He aims to break down community barriers and work with hard-to-reach communities to overcome numerous social and cultural barriers between the police and the public.
PC Forbes, working on the Met’s Workforce Futures Programme, recalls the time he diverted a 17-year-old boy away from crime who was arrested four times for knife possession. He managed to secure a job for him within two hours.
The officer says he was driven to follow this path after the force liaised with his school to steer him away from becoming heavily involved within a gang.
He explains in his blog, A Copper’s Tail, how his story began in the East End of London 27 years ago.
Born to good parents in a difficult neighbourhood – he was an only child of mixed Caribbean and British heritage.
PC Forbes says he aspired to be an officer after watching every episode of The Bill – much to the annoyance of his parents.
But the journey from then to now was turbulent as he struggled growing up. He began to hang around in a gang to feel accepted and safe and ended up in the middle of a street fight. The next day the police officers came to his school.
He said: “I remember to this day the fact that the police officer took the right approach with me. He was calm and balanced, but firm too.
"He could see that I was vulnerable – and he recognised the fact that I needed support to get out of this lifestyle. Before it was too late.”
PC Forbes accepted the help and among various activitives took to water sports - this eventually led him to coach for the British Olympic team.
Three years ago he went onto to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming an officer working his way up to Gang Command for Trident.
He said: “If you’d told me at the beginning that I would end up as a police officer, I’m not sure I would have believed you. But for the last three years, that’s exactly what I’ve been. And I love my job."
The officer has now been shortlisted for the Positive Role Model Award for Race, Religion and Faith, and says he wants to give back to society by smashing the barriers between the police and BME community.
“It’s mind blowing to be nominated and I can’t get over it. It’s not just local, it’s national and that’s amazing. Out of 23,000 people nominated, I’m shortlisted," he added.
“It’s amazing and it means a lot. I want to credit the young people and the Met.”
This year's National Diversity Awards will be held at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral on September 8.
The event celebrates the achievements of grass-root communities which tackle the issues in today’s society giving them recognition for their dedication and hard work.
News Archive
- December 2023 (3)
- November 2023 (5)
- October 2023 (4)
- September 2023 (5)
- August 2023 (4)
- July 2023 (3)
- June 2023 (5)
- May 2023 (2)
- April 2023 (5)
- March 2023 (3)
- February 2023 (7)
- January 2023 (11)
- December 2022 (6)
- November 2022 (5)
- October 2022 (5)
- September 2022 (6)
- August 2022 (2)
- July 2022 (11)
- June 2022 (8)
- May 2022 (11)
- April 2022 (8)
- March 2022 (3)
- February 2022 (5)
- January 2022 (12)
- December 2021 (1)
- November 2021 (9)
- October 2021 (4)
- September 2021 (10)
- August 2021 (9)
- July 2021 (12)
- June 2021 (4)
- May 2021 (11)
- April 2021 (14)
- March 2021 (14)
- February 2021 (19)
- January 2021 (18)
- December 2020 (6)
- November 2020 (12)
- October 2020 (14)
- September 2020 (15)
- August 2020 (16)
- July 2020 (16)
- June 2020 (18)
- May 2020 (22)
- April 2020 (18)
- March 2020 (23)
- February 2020 (20)
- January 2020 (4)
- December 2019 (5)
- November 2019 (6)
- October 2019 (5)
- September 2019 (6)
- August 2019 (8)
- July 2019 (6)
- June 2019 (8)
- May 2019 (8)
- April 2019 (8)
- March 2019 (10)
- February 2019 (9)
- January 2019 (9)
- December 2018 (9)
- November 2018 (12)
- October 2018 (8)
- September 2018 (7)
- August 2018 (11)
- July 2018 (7)
- June 2018 (9)
- May 2018 (9)
- April 2018 (12)
- March 2018 (10)
- February 2018 (8)
- January 2018 (5)
- December 2017 (6)
- November 2017 (4)
- October 2017 (3)
- September 2017 (10)
- August 2017 (5)
- July 2017 (5)
- June 2017 (6)
- May 2017 (6)
- April 2017 (2)
- March 2017 (3)
- February 2017 (4)
- January 2017 (1)
- December 2016 (3)
- November 2016 (4)
- October 2016 (1)
- September 2016 (4)
- August 2016 (4)
- July 2016 (1)
- June 2016 (5)
- May 2016 (3)
- April 2016 (1)
- March 2016 (3)
- February 2016 (3)
- January 2016 (3)
- December 2015 (3)
- November 2015 (3)
- October 2015 (3)
- September 2015 (2)
- August 2015 (1)
- July 2015 (11)
- June 2015 (1)