Dr. Leroy Hugh Logan MBE: A Journey from Scientist to Police Superintendent

Born in 1957 in Islington, London, to Jamaican parents, Leroy attended Highbury Grove School for secondary education and Hackney Community College where he studied biology, chemistry and physics for A-Level. After leaving school, he attended the University of East London from 1976 to 1980 where he earned a BSc degree in applied biology.

Leroy joined the police force in 1983, having previously worked as a research scientist. He was inspired to join the police for various reasons but also seeing the aftermath of two police officers assault on his father.

Leroy served for 30 years, making a huge difference and helping to create a more diverse police force that was instrumental in getting the local community to provide information during the investigation of the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993.

Leroy left the Metropolitan Police at the rank of superintendent, having given oral and written evidence of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, he was involved the inquiry into the killing of Damilola Taylor, and the organisation of the London 2012 Olympics.

In 2013, the University of East London awarded Leroy an honorary PhD for his services to policing.

Leroy was described by The Voice newspaper as “one of the Black officers who helped change the Met”. In 2000, he was awarded an MBE for his work in advancing policing.

Leroy, a former police superintendent was both a founding member of the Black Police Association and its chairman for a number of years. He remains an executive member of the National Black Police Association and is a founder member of the Black Police Association Charitable Trust.

In 2020, Leroy published his first book Closing Ranks, My Life as a Cop which described his time as a senior police officer in London. Red, White and Blue, a dramatisation of Leroy’s decision to join and of his early time in the police service, was broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom and Amazon Prime in the United States in winter 2020. This is still currently available on I-player for viewing.

In 2003, Leroy was awarded £100,000 by the Metropolitan Police following an investigation over a hotel bill. His autobiography, Closing Ranks: My Life as a Cop, was published in 2020.

Leroy is portrayed by John Boyega in the episode “Red, White and Blue” of Small Axe, an anthology TV series created by Steve McQueen. John Boyega also won the Golden Globe Award in 2020 for playing this role.

Leroy’s education and working life experiences have been immense, which makes him an outstanding role model others in our community. From schooling both in UK and Jamaica to a BSc degree, and 30 years of service in the Metropolitan Police Force. Leroy was also cofounder and Chair of the Black and Asian Police Association for many years.

It is evident that Leroy has had an outstanding journey of life. He is a beacon of light to anyone who has the drive and passion to achieve their goals and aspirations.