Local Heroes: The Pope thanked me for helping to keep him safe
THE police officer who had overall control of the unprecedented security operation to protect the Pope during his Birmingham visit received a personal thanks from the Pontiff.
Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe and other leading officers met Pope Benedict XVI at Oscott College shortly before he departed for Birmingham Airport.
At the meeting, which came at his Holiness’ request, he thanked West Midlands Police for their efforts to protect him during his historic visit to the city.
And, although known to be a cat lover, he also paused to affectionately stroke West Midlands Police explosives sniffer dog Jake, a black Springador.
Jake and his West Midlands Police handler had been on security duty, and the Pope asked to meet a police dog.
Assistant Chief Con Rowe said: “It was a pleasure to meet his Holiness and kind of him to take time to extend thanks to all the officers involved in the police operation.
“This has been a hugely complex operation; it has involved agencies from across the public and private sector and been months in the planning.
“I’m pleased to say it has been a resounding success.”
The operation was the biggest of its kind ever carried out by West Midlands Police and saw an extra 2,000 officers drafted on duty to police the state visit.
