The police say 'we are a family', but they didn't look after me when I left

New book highlights the GMP officers forced to retire after becoming injured in the line of duty

- Neal Keeling

SHAHID Mahmood was in his mid 30s when he made a brave career move.

His skills as an engineer no longer guaranteed work and being a taxi driver brought no satisfaction.

He joined Greater Manchester Police. It was a move which gave him purpose - helping the community in his own backyard of Bolton.

But a freak incident while training would change his life forever.

He was taking part in riot training at GMP's Openshaw complex when an astonishing twist of fate left him blind in one eye.

He is just one of many police officers in the UK whose careers were ended by severe injury and left with no recognition for the service they gave.

His ordeal and those of several other ex-GMP officers is highlighted in a new book helping to spearhead a campaign by ex-policeman, Tom Curry, for the thousands of emergency workers who were forced to retire, to get some recognition.

More than 90 MPs are backing the campaign.

Shahid, now 67, is the uncle of Bolton former world boxing champion, Amir Khan, above, and father of ex England and Lancashire cricketer, Sajid Mahmood, right.

He said: "I joined the force in 1994. I had always wanted to do something related to the law, but my dad persuaded me that engineering was the best thing and I became a fully qualified engineer.

"But then I got made redundant."

He added: "I started doing anything I could. I did a bit of taxi driving, then had the opportunity to join the force. I was lucky enough to get assigned to K Division in Bolton and I loved it."

But in 2001, while taking part in a one year riot training refresher course, his life changed forever.