My parents arrived in the United Kingdom in the late 1970’s, where my dad worked as a wool spinner and my mum was looking after seven children. I am one of five brothers and two sisters.
I was raised in Bradford and went to the local schools, in my case the last one was Belle Vue Boys which I attended between 1993 and 1997. I tried my best at school but the highest I got in my GCSE’s was a D, which was disappointing but I had to move on.
As a result, I studied at Shipley College and in my spare time I got involved with the Youth Service and met a particular Youth Worker, in my case it was Anwar. From that point on I did not look back and I knew what I wanted to be - a Youth Worker. I gave up further education and spent all my time doing voluntary work so that I could gain experience in the field of youth work. I qualified with the Youth Service as a Youth Worker in 2002.
During 1999 and 2004 I set up various voluntary projects in Bradford and I was on various boards that represent young people. For these projects I worked with other organisations and in particular with the Police where we cleaned up derelict allotments. The Officer who assisted me in this was the young PC Jonathan Pickles (now Chief Inspector Jonathan Pickles). He had always wanted me to join the Police but at that time I was not ready.
Even though I was working with young people which I loved doing, I still wanted to be in the army. I have always enjoyed working with computers and modern technology. I wanted to gain a trade in the Army as an electrical engineer, so that I could do my trade and leave with good qualifications and experience. I got my fitness levels up and in 2003 I applied and I was successful.
I attended my basic training in 2004 which was successfully completed and I went on to the next level, but was unable to complete it due to external factors. As a result of this I wanted to be in a uniform service and I thought about what a good friend told me years ago. I got in touch and I applied to the Police and was successful in my application.
In July 2006 I joined West Yorkshire Police, based at Bradford Trafalgar House Police Station as a Police Constable. I am very proud to hold the office of Constable and of the job I do and I would not trade it in for anything.
As a result of me joining the Police, I got a foundation Degree in Police Studies despite my D in my GCSE’s.
It was a great privilege to be invited to an event such as B someone and being with other people who had completed so much. What I would say is - it’s your life, it’s your future, you make what you want of it and a little bit of hard work does reap its rewards.
