Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has recognised Detective Inspector Adeniyi Collins Oremule in her 2012 New Year’s Honours List.

Detective Inspector Oremule receives the Colonial Police Medal (for Meritorious Service) (CPM) in recognition of being an exceptional investigator with an outstanding commitment to helping and supporting victims and witnesses of crime.

He is cited as having regularly demonstrated outstanding attributes as a public servant who is dedicated to protecting his community above and beyond the normal call of duty.

Mr Oremule was born in Ogun State, Nigeria, in 1966 but spent most of the early part of his life in Lagos city. He spent some time travelling through Europe and then applied to join the RCIPS after coming to the Cayman Islands in 1996.

“I joined as a uniformed officer, working on shift at the George Town Police Station. After about one and a half years I was transferred to the C.I.D, as a Detective Constable,” he said.

After spending several years working in George Town, Mr Oremule was transferred to Bodden Town police station, where he was put in charge of the C.I.D operation. After a couple of years, he came back to George Town when, after sitting some exams, he was promoted to Detective Sergeant. From there, Officer Oremule was put in charge of the West Bay C.I.D, just at a time when gangland shootings and burglaries were erupting.

“There were a lot of shootings and burglaries. It was a very challenging time,” he said.

“I am very proud and delighted to be selected for this high award from Her Majesty the Queen. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the nomination. “To be honest, it was a big surprise – the job has to go on, and people need to get justice. I always remember the RCIPS motto, ‘We care, we listen and we act.’ I feel I’ve put that motto into operation to the best of my ability,” he said.