Neata Simpson has been honoured at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in recognition of her sterling efforts in policing and helping others.
The detective sergeant was nominated in the public service category alongside others working in the areas of legal and education.
And the mother-of-two was announced as the winner during an online awards ceremony earlier this week.
The 43-year-old joined West Midlands Police in 2002 and fulfilled a range of roles from beat bobby to force CID, which has included taking a lead role in tackling vehicle and acquisitive crime.
She now plays a key role in helping aspiring detectives of the future through the CID professional development unit.
Neata not only helps support and mentor student officers; but has been at the heart of helping staff to have a policing career alongside a family.
She’s been at the forefront of the family matters initiative which stemmed from her own experience as a new mum.
Neata has ensured support and flexible systems are in place to enable women with families to fulfil their aspirations within police. It’s something she has been able to do herself and provide an inspiration to others to follow.
Neata , who is also a fully trained hostage and crisis negotiator, was shocked to be shortlisted… let alone win. She said: “I genuinely didn’t think I would win, especially up against some of the amazing women in my category.
“I felt emotional… it was amazing that the judges had recognised me as a police officer. I felt that it wasn’t just me they were awarding but all the other amazing police officers out there as we do a job like no other.
“When I joined the police I was so proud. I would never have dreamt that I would go on to be a detective, then a detective sergeant, and now a hostage and crisis negotiator as well as having two amazing girls.
“The force has so much to offer and anything is possible you just have to have the determination and resilience to pursue your dreams. My overarching desire is to be the best role model to my two girls, I want to show them that there are no limits to what they can achieve.”