Police officer's photographic memory helps him catch 3,000 suspects
Britain's most prolific 'super-spotter' police officer has caught his 3,000th suspect.
PCSO Andy Pope is dubbed 'Memory Cop' by colleagues for his remarkable ability to remember faces.
He has used his photographic memory to spot the faces of suspects from CCTV images years after he has seen them – even if they try to hide behind face coverings.
Since 2012, he has been able to collar suspects for crimes including robbery, indecent exposure, sexual assault, and attempted murder, based on the tiniest facial details, from moles to the shape of a moustache.
Officially described as a 'super recogniser,' Mr Pope, 47, says his skill is 'impossible to explain' but credits 'instinct' for usually being right.
Some 2 per cent of the population have enhanced facial recognition abilities, according to research by Bournemouth University's Centre for Face Processing Disorders.
Police forces are increasingly using such individuals with exceptional face recognition abilities to aid in criminal investigations.
These officers are deployed in various settings to identify suspects, track offenders, and assist with investigations, particularly in crowded areas or when reviewing CCTV footage.
The Metropolitan Police, Britain's biggest force, has some 140 officers who it has identified can be deployed as 'super recognisers'.
Recognised 17 suspects in a day
Mr Pope's skill was honoured by the force's chief constable Dave Thompson in 2018 when he passed the 1,000 suspect milestone.
He reached the 2,000-mark in 2020, recognising as many as 17 suspects in one day – and has now passed 3,000.
He also became one of the first 20 people in the world to form part of the Super Recognisers Association in recognition for his eagle-eyed ability to remember faces.
Before starting a shift, Mr Pope will often look through CCTV, video stills and police briefings to keep himself updated on people who are wanted.
He said: 'I've made sure I'm fully updated on the images of people wanted by the force, and it's paid off. I've even been able to spot some in Birmingham city centre while they've been wearing face coverings.
'I have been asked many times how, but it's impossible to explain. It's just an instinct that is the person and thankfully it's proven right.
'The most important thing is being able to assist in catching criminals and keeping the public safe, especially given the year it has been.'
'Great sense of pride and satisfaction'
The officer stores more faces year-on-year and averages one recognition every other shift. It has previously led him to identify a male robber he had seen an image of a year before and another by the mole on their face.
Mr Pope added: 'If you look at a picture enough times, there is usually something that sticks in the mind as distinctive.
'Maybe I can't pinpoint what that something is at the time, but when I see the person in the flesh, it triggers that recognition.'
His job for the force's Safer Travel Partnership requires him to travel around the region on public transport, with his skills used to assist other departments.
His frequent travel also increases his chances of encountering suspects whose images he has seen on the police computer.
He said: 'I feel a great sense of pride and satisfaction if I manage to remember a suspect from an image who is then arrested. Hopefully, there will be many more to come in future.
'I am just pleased I can contribute and hopefully there will be many more crime suspects I can spot in future.'
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