I Am Norwell Roberts: The story of the Met's first Black police officer

Norwell Roberts, the Met's first Black police officer, faced prejudice, ridicule, and rejection but refused to quit, leading to an extraordinary career on the frontlines of Britain's history. His story is a testament to resilience against the odds and his ability to make a difference.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 09 June 2022
Publisher: John Murray Press

Norwell Roberts, who became the Metropolitan Police's first Black police officer in 1967, learned of his new position in the same manner that the rest of the country did: through a Daily Telegraph headline that read "MET TO HAVE FIRST COLOURED POLICEMAN." From that day on, his face became a symbol of acceptance, a diverse police force, and a changing Britain. He was transformed into the poster boy for progressive policing, but his day-to-day reality was far from it. Greeted with prejudice, ridicule, and rejection, he refused to quit. And thus began an extraordinary career that placed him on the frontlines for a tumultuous period in Britain's history. Stationed at embassies, anti-war protests, and riots, his race singled him out and landed him on front pages around the world.

This is the story of the man behind the headlines, in his own words.

Conversations about the police as an institution have never been more heated or more urgent than they are today, but to appreciate the present and how far we have come, we sometimes need to revisit the past, no matter how painful.

Honest, moving, and impossible to forget, I Am Norwell Roberts is a story of resilience against the odds, and of one man's ability to make a difference.

Norwell Roberts was born in London in 1937, the son of a Jamaican immigrant. He grew up in a working-class family and faced discrimination and prejudice throughout his life. Despite these challenges, he excelled in school and eventually earned a degree in law from the University of London.

After completing his studies, Roberts joined the Metropolitan Police in 1967, becoming the first Black police officer in the force's history. He was assigned to a station in Notting Hill, a diverse and multicultural neighborhood in west London.

At first, Roberts faced significant discrimination from his colleagues. He was often subjected to racist jokes and comments and was denied promotions and opportunities that were given to his white colleagues. However, he refused to let these obstacles deter him from his work.

Roberts became known for his dedication to his job and his commitment to serving the community. He worked tirelessly to build relationships with the local community and to address issues of crime and disorder. He was particularly active in the fight against racism and discrimination, and he worked to promote diversity within the police force.

Despite his successes, Roberts faced ongoing challenges throughout his career. He was stationed at embassies and other diplomatic posts, where he was often targeted by terrorists and other criminals. He also faced discrimination and prejudice from the local communities he served, which made his job even more difficult.

Despite these challenges, Roberts refused to quit. He continued to work tirelessly to protect the community and to promote diversity within the police force. He became a mentor to other Black officers and worked to promote diversity and inclusion within the wider community.

In 1992, Roberts retired from the Metropolitan Police, but his legacy continued. He was recognized for his contributions to the police force and to the community, and he was awarded the Queen's Police Medal for his service.

Today, Roberts is a respected figure in the community and a champion for diversity and inclusion. He continues to work to promote positive change and to inspire others to overcome obstacles and to make a difference in their communities.

In conclusion, Norwell Roberts's story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. Despite facing significant discrimination and prejudice throughout his life, he refused to let these obstacles deter him from his work. He became a symbol of acceptance, a diverse police force, and a changing Britain, and his legacy continues to inspire others to overcome obstacles and to make a difference in their communities.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 218 x 140 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399800884