A Birmingham police officer has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his work in the community.

Police Constable David Dargie will be honoured for his work with young people, both in his role as a police officer and as a volunteer working with Sea Cadets.

The 36-year-old from Rubery, who works at Bournville police station on the Offender Management Unit, has been a police officer for 11 years, having worked on 999 response and as a Young Persons Officer. During this time he developed a programme to help young students on the verge of exclusion called ‘Police and Schools Together’.

PC Dargie worked with four schools in south Birmingham, taking three pupils from each, one day a week for eight weeks to concentrate on team building and leadership activities in an effort improve their self esteem and become better citizens.

After spending three years in the Navy from the age of 19, PC Dargie has always volunteered with the Sea Cadets. He raised £350,000 to re-open a unit in Edgbaston, known as Birmingham Vernon, where he was Chairman for five years and is now Petty Officer. Over 50 young people between the ages of 10 and 18 now attend the centre twice a week learning new skills and taking part in a broad spectrum of activities.

“I am surprised and delighted to be honoured with an MBE. It is very humbling to be recognised for work that I really enjoy, both as a police officer and with the Sea Cadets,” said the father of two, “I could not have achieved this without the support of my colleagues and family.”

More information on Sea Cadets can be found at www.ms-sc.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/birminghamvernonseacadets