Hitchin Special Constable Receives MBE from the Queen
| Published: 17th November 2008 19:11 |
Thirty-six years' service as a voluntary Special Constable has earnt 54-year-old Mahesh Thapar, known by his friends and colleagues as Paul, an MBE.
He received the prestigious accolade for his unstinting performance from the Queen at Windsor Castle on Tuesday.
Paul joined Hertfordshire in April 1973, aged 18, as the first Asian recruit in the county and works in Hitchin, where he lives.
"It was an amazing experience that I will never forget," said Paul. "I really didn't know what to expect and felt quite nervous but very excited. It was a real honour to be there amongst other well deserving MBE recipients and receive one of the most prestigious awards that you can get. I found it quite overwhelming.
"The Queen was very down to earth and wasn't wearing her symbolic gloves. She seemed genuinely interesting in what I had achieved. It makes me feel that I have done something extra special in the police force that not many people have. This recognition means so much to me. I was really pleased to share it with my family, who have greatly supported me over the years."
On Tuesday evening, Paul threw a party to celebrate at the Silver Moon pub in Hitchin, that he runs with his wife, Nirmal.
Specials Sergeant Gary Males, who is also a landscape gardener, said: "Paul regularly turns up, often at short notice, and is always enthusiastic and a real people person.
Gary said: "He is exceptional and wants to make a difference within his local community and people want to talk to him about issues they may be facing. I'm really pleased that he has been recognised in this way - it's a big honour and he deserves it after dedicating so much of his time over the years."
Paul joined the Specials with a view to going into the regular police force but after getting married he was earning more as a designer and later a Chartered Surveyor, so he kept up his voluntary role with the police.
"I enjoy it as much today as I did the first day I joined," said Paul, who has seen the role of specials change dramatically from attending local fetes to the frontline policing of today where specials mirror the role of their regular colleagues.
"I love doing the job - I love giving something back to the community and helping others. I prefer being on the front line and I get a buzz from the busy nights. It's about problem-solving and it is so rewarding when a member of the public thanks you for your contribution.
"I've also been involved in recruitment, especially trying to encourage people from minority ethnic backgrounds to join us. I was the first Asian Special in Hertfordshire but I'm pleased to see a few more officers from minority ethnic backgrounds now.
Paul admits sometimes it is hard to get motivated after a long day. "But once I'm in uniform, I'm ready to work and make a difference. There is always something different to deal with and every day or night is as good as the next or the last.
"The busy Friday and Saturday nights are the most challenging for me but also the most rewarding. I love sorting out people's problems and have a completely different sense of achievement and satisfaction that I don't get from my day job. I enjoy catching drink drivers and preventing them from injuring themselves or someone else on the roads."
He added: "Through this job I've leant to think on my feet to deal with issues on a case by case basis and I enjoy working with our partner agencies. I've also had excellent training - which has improved so much since when I began and was only required to work four hours a month.
"It has given me confidence in my day job and made me more flexible as a person and hopefully a better father and grandfather."
Paul juggles his Publican role with the Specials and still manages time to spend with his close family - four children; Mark, 31, twins Richard and Anthony, 28, Kimberly, 21 and eight-year-old grand-daughter Yazmin.
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