For many people, vacation is an opportunity to step away from work and unwind. For Mike Beddoes, a Motorola Solutions employee in the U.K., time away from his regular job often means taking on another responsibility — helping protect the community as a volunteer police officer.
For the past nine years, Mike has maintained two demanding roles. During his working hours, he contributes to innovation at Motorola Solutions. Outside of work, he serves as a fully warranted volunteer officer with the Warwickshire Police Special Constabulary. Most recently, he dedicated four weeks of his personal leave to completing an intensive emergency driving course, further strengthening his ability to respond in critical situations.
The Responsibility Behind the Uniform For the past nine years, Mike has maintained two demanding roles. During his working hours, he contributes to innovation at Motorola Solutions. Outside of work, he serves as a fully warranted volunteer officer with the Warwickshire Police Special Constabulary. Most recently, he dedicated four weeks of his personal leave to completing an intensive emergency driving course, further strengthening his ability to respond in critical situations.
As a Special Constable, Mike has the same uniform and police powers as a regular full-time officer. Over the years, he has accumulated more than 3,000 hours of service — equivalent to roughly two years of full-time police work.
His motivation to serve began during his university years. While commuting, Mike regularly saw police officers responding to difficult and unpredictable situations. Their ability to remain composed while helping people during some of their most challenging moments left a lasting impression on him. Eventually, he decided he wanted to move beyond simply observing their work and play an active role in supporting his community.
Responding When It Matters Most His motivation to serve began during his university years. While commuting, Mike regularly saw police officers responding to difficult and unpredictable situations. Their ability to remain composed while helping people during some of their most challenging moments left a lasting impression on him. Eventually, he decided he wanted to move beyond simply observing their work and play an active role in supporting his community.
Mike's responsibilities have included everything from regular patrol duties to responding to emergencies where lives are at risk. His commitment was particularly evident when he responded to a major house fire while off duty.
Without hesitation, he entered the dangerous situation, provided first aid to people trapped inside and assisted in efforts to bring the fire under control. The incident earned him his fourth Chief Constable's Commendation.
His 3,000-plus hours of volunteer service, combined with his response to the fire, also led to him receiving the 2025 CEO Award for Volunteerism, the highest recognition Motorola Solutions gives for volunteer service.
“Receiving this type of recognition is an incredible honor,” said Mike. “But the real reward is the impact we get to make on the ground. When you’re responding to an emergency or stepping into a critical situation, you aren’t thinking about the hours or the personal time off you gave up — you’re just focusing on the person who needs your help. I’m grateful to be in a position to protect and serve the community I live in.”
Bringing Front-Line Experience to Motorola Solutions Without hesitation, he entered the dangerous situation, provided first aid to people trapped inside and assisted in efforts to bring the fire under control. The incident earned him his fourth Chief Constable's Commendation.
His 3,000-plus hours of volunteer service, combined with his response to the fire, also led to him receiving the 2025 CEO Award for Volunteerism, the highest recognition Motorola Solutions gives for volunteer service.
“Receiving this type of recognition is an incredible honor,” said Mike. “But the real reward is the impact we get to make on the ground. When you’re responding to an emergency or stepping into a critical situation, you aren’t thinking about the hours or the personal time off you gave up — you’re just focusing on the person who needs your help. I’m grateful to be in a position to protect and serve the community I live in.”
Mike's two roles also give him a valuable connection between the technology developed by Motorola Solutions and the first responders who depend on it in the field.
His experience as a police officer provides firsthand insight into what emergency personnel need when circumstances become critical. When he uses a radio during an emergency, he understands that dependable communications are not simply a matter of convenience. A clear connection and reliable equipment can be essential to the safety of officers and members of the public.
Mike carries this front-line perspective into his work at Motorola Solutions, helping reinforce the importance of designing technology around the real-world needs of the people who use it.
A Mission That Extends Beyond Technology His experience as a police officer provides firsthand insight into what emergency personnel need when circumstances become critical. When he uses a radio during an emergency, he understands that dependable communications are not simply a matter of convenience. A clear connection and reliable equipment can be essential to the safety of officers and members of the public.
Mike carries this front-line perspective into his work at Motorola Solutions, helping reinforce the importance of designing technology around the real-world needs of the people who use it.
Mike's story illustrates how the company's purpose can reach far beyond the products and technologies it develops. The broader impact can also be seen in the people who dedicate their time and skills to supporting their communities.
His commitment reflects the spirit shared by Motorola Solutions employees around the world who combine their professional expertise with a desire to serve others and help create safer communities.
His commitment reflects the spirit shared by Motorola Solutions employees around the world who combine their professional expertise with a desire to serve others and help create safer communities.