Britain’s first black police officer has been commemorated with a room named after him at the Metropolitan Police’s training campus.
Norwell Roberts was born on the Caribbean island of Anguilla and joined the Met on November 6 1967, later joining the CID and enjoying a distinguished career as a detective.
Before retiring from his role as a detective sergeant in 1997, Mr Roberts worked in Barnet, Borehamwood and Golders Green.
Chief Superintendent Craig Haslam dedicated a room to Mr Roberts on the day of the official opening of the new police site in Aerodrome Road, Hendon on Friday (October 7).
He was present for the naming of a meeting room after him and he presented the Met with an oil painting of himself to be hung in the room.
Superintendent Robyn Williams, said: "As we reach the milestone of achieving over 4,000 BME (black and minority ethnic) officers, we must not forget the trailblazers.
“Almost 50 years ago, a young Norwell Roberts was the first black officer to join the modern police service."
Mr Roberts won a commendation for the arrest of five contract killers in 1985, and two other commendations for covert operations with the Met’s drugs squad.
He was awarded the Queen’s police medal in 1996 for distinguished service and was the first black policeman to be given such an honour.
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