News
Leroy Logan: ‘Receiving top award felt as good as receiving MBE’
Comments 0
ALL SMILES: Leroy Logan with mentee Reiss Baker
BRITAIN’S highest-ranking black police officer says he felt the same “sense of pride” when receiving a Gold Award from the Association of Colleges (AoC) as he did when he received his MBE.
Superintendent Leroy Logan was gifted with the prestigious award at the national award ceremony held at the House of Commons last night.
The AoC Charitable Trust presents the Gold Awards to a select number of former College students each year in recognition of the vital role of further education in their careers, and their continuing achievements in their chosen fields.
Leroy was nominated by Hackney Community College for his impressive achievements, both as a former scientist and his work as a leading figure in London’s Metropolitan Police Service following his time at the east London College in the 70s.
Leroy told Voice Online that he felt “honoured” to be in receipt of the award and said he felt the same delight when he received his MBE in 2000.
He said: “I feel very proud and honoured to have been selected for this award alongside such an impressive list of people.”
Other winners of this year's AoC Gold Awards included BAFTA award-winning actor Colin Firth, businesswoman and star of BBC television's ‘Dragons' Den’ Deborah Meaden, executive director and chief economist at the Bank of England Spencer Dale.
He added: “It’s a great feeling to have your efforts recognised and to be selected by my former college, gave it an extra poignancy.
“When I received this award, I felt the same sense of pride I did when I received the MBE.”
Leroy joined the police service in 1983 and worked in CID and undercover surveillance units before becoming a Deputy Borough Commander and Superintendent in Hackney. He received three consecutive Commissioner’s Commendations for top performance, became the chair of the Black Police Association and later received an MBE for his contribution to policing.
He credits his former college for his continued success.
“As a student I personally benefitted from the commitment of Hackney Community college staff because they helped me to plan my academic future and my initial career in science research. This assisted me in having clarity of purpose when I later responded to the calling of policing.”
Leroy is still in touch with the team at Hackney Community college and has signed up for their ‘Mini Me’ mentoring scheme, which he describes as his “way of giving back and inspiring young men”
He said: “I look forward to working with my mentee, Reiss Baker, because I know the importance of giving back, not only to assist him in establishing his chosen career path but also to be a more positive role model within his peer group”
Published: 16 June 2010
Issue: 0
