HIS long and distinguished police career began in Southampton docks more than 31 years ago.

Since then Randy Otter has worked tirelessly, professionally and for charity.

Today his unrelenting hard work, which saw him cycle the length of the country and climb the three highest mountains in the UK, will be rewarded at the highest level when he is made an MBE by the Queen.

Randy, 50, was born in Goa and came to the UK in 1969.

Living in Woolston, he was a pupil at Merry Oak Junior School and Itchen College.


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It was in November 1976 that he joined the British Transport Police with a job at Southampton docks as a constable.

From there Randy, nicknamed "the quiet man" by his friends and colleagues, moved to the railways in the city before being made a sergeant and moving to Paddington.

After working in the mobile support unit also covering Euston station, Randy became an inspector at London's Victoria station, before being appointed as a chief inspector.

Much of his spare time has also been devoted to charity work including a cycling challenge and the Three Peaks Challenge.

He will receive his honour at Buckingham Palace today watched by his wife Val, their two daughters and grandchildren