A senior officer, formerly with Suffolk Constabulary, has won the Police Officer of the Year award at the National Black Police Association (NBPA) conference.

DCI Mike Pereira, head of the ROCU's (Regional Organised Crime Unit) cybercrime capability at ERSOU, (Eastern Region Special Operations Unit) was recognised for his outstanding contribution to equality, diversity, and inclusion while in a previous role at Suffolk Constabulary.

As chair of Suffolk's Ethnic Police Association (SEPA), where he has been a member for 17 years and chairperson for the last four years, DCI Pereira tirelessly championed to support and create positive change for ethnic minority groups within policing.

He was recognised for his determination and dedication to be the driving force within Suffolk Constabulary for ethnic minorities, something which he has continued since joining ERSOU in the summer.

DCI Pereira said: "I am incredibly proud and humbled to have received this national award which still feels slightly surreal. I will always be a passionate advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion by supporting and giving a voice to ethnic minority groups who are still under-represented in policing today. Being chair of a staff support network was a great honour for me, and I feel proud knowing I brought about positive change in Suffolk."

DCC Rob Jones said: "On behalf of everyone at Suffolk Constabulary, I send congratulations to Mike for his national award. It is fully deserved and he has been a great advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion across the force for many years, with one example being the work and support he has given to the Suffolk approach to the national Police Race Action Plan."

The NBPA conference, which also coincided with the organisations 25thanniversary, was hosted at Cardiff City Hall and was attended by representatives across policing, including members of ERSOU's Race Equality Network.

The conference was opened by Baroness Casey DBE CB, who spoke in-depth about her review into culture within the Metropolitan Police Service, which was published earlier this year.

Guests also heard from the Hon Dr Stuart Lawrence about racism and the tragic loss of his brother, NPCC Chair Gavin Stephen QPM who spoke about the national race action plan, and Chief Constable of South Wales Police Jeremy Vaughan as the event host.

The ERSOU Race Equality Network (REN) is made up of officers and staff from different backgrounds from the forces within our region and are an associate of the National Black Police Association.

For further information on either of these, see the link below:

National Black Police Association – National Black Police Association (nationalbpa.com)