Mum of four honoured for tackling youth violence in Rochdale

A mother of four has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to the community, receiving the 'Special Officer of the Year' award at the Chief Constable’s Annual Awards.

Jemma Mallon, from Heywood, has served as a special constable for over a year, and was honoured art the The Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground on Friday 27 September.

She has dedicated 360 hours of voluntary service, more than double the expected commitment, working to tackle youth violence and safeguard vulnerable young people in the Rochdale borough. Her efforts have involved engaging with over 100 pupils and staff at 12 local schools, delivering crucial education on crime prevention and promoting positive community relations.

As part of the special constabulary, a team of volunteer officers who give up their time to support local police, Mallon has played a key role in addressing the growing issue of youth violence.

In the past year, she has worked closely with schools, bridging the gap between educational institutions and their Neighbourhood Policing Team. By identifying at-risk children and offering referrals and support, Mallon has made a tangible difference in reducing harm and improving safety for the young people in her community.

A driving force behind Mallon’s dedication is her desire to create a safer environment for her own four children. She said: “I like to think that I have a really good understanding of youngsters.

"I've got four children of my own, two teenagers and two younger boys as well. Each child has their own individual needs, and I’m able to get on their level by being a mum, which helps me approach them in a way that might be different from officers who don’t have children.”

Jemma's work goes beyond routine policing; her involvement has been pivotal in addressing deeper issues among local youth.

Over the past year, she identified a rising trend of violence among students in multiple schools. While some dismissed the fighting as typical teenage behaviour, Mallon saw warning signs that the issues ran deeper. She coordinated intelligence and raised concerns with school authorities, recognising that the students were genuinely frightened.

She added: “I was asked to speak to some Year 10 boys who were fighting, both in school and in the community.

"But it became clear that this wasn’t normal. Despite being told it happens in every school, I could see through their body language and what they were saying that these kids were scared. Prevention work was needed if we were to safeguard them effectively.”

Her proactive approach, including discussing the students' interests and working with partner agencies, has led to a reduction in violent incidents. Between August 2023 and August 2024, cases of violence with injury in Rochdale fell by 4.9%.

For Jemma, policing is not just a career but a family legacy. Her father, Alan, served as a detective constable in the Rochdale district, and his stories of police work inspired her to join the force. “I’ve always wanted to be a police officer, but I wanted to do it on my own terms and work around my family. This role has allowed me to see if policing was for me while balancing my home life.”

In addition to her voluntary service, the busy mum juggles being a self-employed network marketer. Her hard work has not gone unnoticed, and she was recently promoted to acting specials sergeant. Despite the challenges of transitioning from a stay-at-home mum to a police officer, Mallon embraced the change, pushing herself outside her comfort zone.

“I’ll be honest, it wasn’t easy,” she admitted. “It took me a while to get used to going from day-to-day life as a mum to putting on the uniform and looking at things differently.

"But the more I got involved, met different officers, and put myself forward for opportunities, the more confident I became. I was determined to make a difference in the community, but more than anything, I wanted to make my children proud.”

Mallon’s efforts in reducing youth violence and fostering trust between young people and the police have made a lasting impact on the community. Her commitment serves as an inspiring example of how local residents can play a vital role in tackling crime and creating a safer environment for future generations.