A HIGHLY-respected Bradford police officer has announced her retirement. 

PC Firzana (Fiz) Ahmed, joined in 1990 and has served in both Leeds and Bradford. She is currently based in Bradford, where she is highly respected for her work with communities.

Earlier this year, PC Ahmed was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal

Announcing her news on Twitter this afternoon, she said: "I will be commencing a period of annual leave beginning the 26th November, before I retire from the organisation on the 10th January 2020."

She went on to say she will be planning a 'thank you' event for the community.

PC Ahmed has been noted as trailblazer for Asian women in policing and an equality champion, both inside and outside the organisation.

When she was awarded the Queens Police Medal, she described Bradford in particular as being a "wonderful place to work".

"I thoroughly enjoy being a police officer, helping and supporting others and I am honored to have been recognised in this way," she said.

West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable John Robins said PC Ahmed is "so respected and loved by both the communities of Bradford and her colleagues in West Yorkshire Police".

"Fiz is not only an exceptionally talented police officer, but she is an outstanding role model," he said.

"Over the last thirty years working in communities of Bradford, I believe that Fiz has changed the lives and aspirations of countless women and girls. Her influence and impact has been inspirational and should not be underestimated."