Devon & Cornwall Police officer awarded in King's Honours
PC Sam Samuel has served with the Force for 21 years
Last updated 18th Jun 2023
A Devon & Cornwall Police officer has been awarded in the King's Birthday Honours.
Police Constable Sam Samuel, who has served with the Force for 21 years, has been honoured with the King’s Policing Medal (KPM) for services to policing.
Sam works as the geographical full time representative for the Police Federation in Devon and Cornwall and has been recognised for his initiative to help improve the understanding in the Force of the impact of racism on victims of crime.
PC Samuel said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to be recognised in the King’s Birthday Honour’s list. Over the years, I have very much enjoyed being a police officer collaborating with communities and partners to help change the way we treat victims of racism. There is still much work to do but I am committed to being at the forefront of change to ensure our diverse communities continue to be heard and are protected.”
PC Samuel came to England from a small village in Antigua to join his parents, who had travelled to England as part of the Windrush generation. He spent ten years in the Royal Navy after leaving school and 15 years as an engineer with BT before joining the police service.
In 2016, he volunteered his services to help set up the Force’s Positive Action group.
In addition to his busy role as a police constable and Police Federation representative, over the years he has used his initiative to build relationships with the local Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), improving the understanding of the impact of racism on victims of crime. Through working with the Diverse Communities Team, PC Samuel has also improved the service and support to victims of hate crime, particularly after defendants are charged.
Chief Constable Will Kerr said: “PC Samuel has been an exemplary and truly inspirational front-line response officer in Plymouth for over fifteen years working in some of the most challenging and deprived areas of the city. As a police constable and in his role as a Police Federation representative he is a true ambassador for front line officers nationally and especially those officers from visible ethnic backgrounds.
“Colleagues have commented that PC Samuel has a very strong sense of justice and is dedicated to doing what is right for victims of crime, not always what is easy. He is also an officer who is recognised for his extensive community knowledge and admired for his drive to reduce harm and increase support for the most vulnerable persons in the community. He continues to display the utmost resilience, courage and is a true inspiration to many.
“I know all my colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police will join me in wishing him the warmest congratulations for this well deserved recognition of his policing career.”