#GMPeople: meet Mo Shafiq who was awarded a Queen’s Medal for his service to UK policing

This year Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is celebrating its 50-year anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, we have spoken to some of our longest serving officers, including 72-year-old Mohammed ‘Mo’ Shafiq, who was the first Asian officer to join the ranks of GMP 50 years ago.

Mo retired from GMP in 2003, having risen to the rank of Detective Inspector. The father of three and grandfather now lives in Radcliffe with his family.

He first joined the police with Lancashire Constabulary in January 1973 and then GMP in 1974 when the force was established from an amalgamation of Manchester and Salford police forces, as well as parts of what were then Lancashire Constabulary, Cheshire Constabulary and West Yorkshire Constabulary.

In 1965, Mo aged 13, moved to the United Kingdom to join his father from Pakistan.

Mo, said: “My family and I settled in Bury where I went to school. I took an interest in rugby and joined the under 18s team at Bury Sports Club. I remember my father didn’t approve as he didn’t understand why I wanted to play a game that made my clothes dirty!

“A few police officers also played for this club and one day one of the officers asked me if I’d ever thought about joining the police. Most of the jobs available involved factory work but I thought about my dad who had served in a uniform in the Indian army and then transferred to Pakistan army following independence. The officer advised me to go to Bury Station and apply, which I did.

“When I applied, the sergeant who interviewed me was quite frank and said I may face some discrimination - but I never felt marginalised or isolated whilst working in the force. I’m fortunate to have had good opportunities and if I had my time again, I’d rejoin in a heartbeat. It’s a privilege to be seen as a role model to others - I never intended to be one, but through my position I’ve helped encourage others to join the police who otherwise may not have considered it an option.

“I spent my first two years on probation in Bolton which was possibly my favourite time in the police. I served as a Police Constable (PC) doing mainly foot patrols.

“I also learned what we used to call the ‘street craft’ – basic skills you’d need to investigate crime. For example, at the time thefts of milk bottles were very common. The milk was delivered, and early morning workers would often steal it. We were taught if you could investigate something simple like stolen milk, you’d be able to investigate even the most serious crimes like murder. You learn the basics: how to identify witnesses and properly collect and record evidence.

“I also remember my first ever day out on patrol as a PC. It felt strange because suddenly people were looking at me and asking for the time and directions. I even took to carrying a local street directory around in my pocket.”

Commenting on some of the most memorable moments in his career, Mo said: “I remember when the Sex Pistols came to play a concert in Manchester City Centre. I was a sergeant at the time and my unit was patrolling Piccadilly bus station when we were pelted with rocks thrown by punk rockers. We had to use bin lids for protection as that was all we had available to us. Thankfully the equipment has gotten much better over the years!

“I also remember the first time I arrested someone. It was during the first few months of my probation while I was responding to a burglary call. It was around 3am and I heard a strange noise coming from a small street and found a man trying to break into a garage. I arrested him and cautioned him, but he pushed me away, swung at me and ran off down the street. I ran after him and arrested him again, but he struggled and broke away – again! For the third time I caught him, I cautioned him, and my colleague arrived in a police car and we took him to the custody office. I told the sergeant what had happened, and he took me to one side and said ‘son, next time, try not to let them run away three times before you bring them in.'”

On completing his two years in Bolton, Mo went on to have an impressive and varied career working in a range of fields including licensing, the Tactical Aid Unit, cadet training and VIP protection training courses held at GMP’s training school at Sedgley Park for overseas students from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. He was then promoted and later transferred to Bolton as a uniform sergeant. After this he transferred to CID as a Detective Sergeant at Bolton. He subsequently spent some time in the drug squad where he rose to Detective Inspector (DI). He then worked as a DI on Stretford and Bolton divisions until his retirement.

Speaking about one of his proudest moments in the force, Mo, said: “In March 2000, while I was based in Bolton, I was appointed to Deputy Senior Investigating Officer (Deputy SIO) to investigate the murder of a man stabbed in Wigan Town Centre. The case initially appeared straight forward with a named suspect and small number of potential witnesses. However, we soon found out the suspect was a resourceful and practised offender who was not going to surrender willingly. The SIO was tied up with a major incident, so I took responsibility for managing, directing, and supervising the investigation. We tracked the suspect to the Welsh coast, and I contacted the North Wales police to secure his arrest. The suspect was subsequently charged with murder and remanded into custody for trial. I was formally recognised by senior management for my efforts.”

Over the course of his career, Mo also received several commendations. He was awarded the Queens Police Medal for distinguished service and in 2003 attended Buckingham Place to receive it. The same year, he was again invited to Buckingham Palace by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh ‘to mark the contribution Pioneers have made to the life of the Nation’. The Palace defined ‘pioneers as ground-breaking individuals who have changed or contributed something unique to the way we live or set new examples for others to follow’. This was in recognition of his service to the community.