In January exceptional members of the Metropolitan Police were recognised for their achievements and extraordinary service to the people of London, the United Kingdom and beyond.
These events are a fantastic way to showcase the bravery and dedication of the men and women who sign up to serve on the thin blue line.
One officer, in particular, to be recognised for his dedication to his duty was Acting Detective Sergeant Zac Idun who received his OBE for services to victims of London and international terrorist atrocities.
Last Thursday at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, Zac received his prestigious medal.
Zac led the family liaison response following 2017’s London Bridge and Westminster attacks and in Sousse, Tunisia in 2015.
Family Liason Officers are specially trained officers who are dedicated to helping the families of those killed in tragic circumstances.
It’s a voluntary role for which officers are not paid any extra money.
Zac has supported hundreds of people during his distinguished career and has helped to shape Family Liaison both nationally and internationally.
Zac joined the Met in 1993, aged 30, having previously worked in banking and business.
Starting as a uniformed PC at Marylebone, he moved into detective work around 1996 and is now a leading expert in Family Liaison for those affected by terrorism.
Zac said:
“Most police officers will tell you they are just doing their job and I am no different, but receiving the OBE for services to policing brings home to me the significance of the role.
“During my time in family liaison and involvement in terrorist investigations, I have been truly humbled by the sheer courage and strength of the families and survivors we have assisted.
“I remain in awe of the many people we have supported who have suffered but survived the loss of the people dearest to them with both dignity and bravery.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the police officer I met at Peckham Police Station in 1993, who encouraged me to join ‘the job’.
“I was actually curious to join because I was cynical about the police, but that officer spoke so openly and enthusiastically about the role that I felt compelled to change my vocation.
“Twenty-five years on, I can say hand-on-heart that it has been one of the best decisions in my life.
“Policing has proven to be an incredibly rewarding, challenging and satisfying career.
“I would recommend it to anyone seeking to do something meaningful that can transform lives.”
Got a story, video or one-off blog that you would like to share with us?
You can contact our team of former emergency services & armed forces personnel either through our Facebook page, via Twitter ( @ES_News_ ) or you can contact us via email: contact@emergency-services.news or call us on: 0115 888 0592
If you run or manage a ‘job’ social media account and you would like us to share one of your stories then send us a tweet or a message!
If you would like to write an article that you would like us to share (it can be about anything to do with the emergency services / NHS) whether you serve in the emergency services / NHS or whether you are a member of the public who has had a good experience with the emergency services, then feel free to contact our team; anonymously if you prefer.
We are proud to act as a voice for the emergency services, armed forces & health service, with over 500,000 people visiting our website each month.
Support our news, stories and blogs —>
Before you go...
WE NEED YOUR HELP.Here at Emergency Services News, we aim to tell you stories that the mainstream media are not interested in reporting. Whilst the MSM love to berate and ridicule the emergency services, who is there to report on the realities of serving on the front line?
Emergency Services News is currently a loss-making entity. But our team of volunteers, all former emergency services personnel, do not do it for the money.
We do it because we are sick and tired of the mainstream media constantly trying to undermine the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep you and your family safe.
How many MSM journalists who speak ill of the emergency services have actually dared to don the uniform and risk their own lives to save the life of a complete stranger? If you would like to help back our mission of reporting on fact-based news, then please consider helping to support us financially.
You can support emergency services news from as little as £1. It only takes a minute. Every contribution, however big or small, is vital for our future.
Please help us to continue to highlight the life-saving work of the emergency services, NHS and armed forces by becoming a supporter.
