A police officer hailed a hero for protecting mosque worshippers from a knifeman is set for a new career as a detective.

Adam Koch won a bravery award for tackling Mohamoud Elmi as he lunged at members of the congregation at Madrassa Qasim Ul Uloom centre, Washwood Heath, with a commando-style knife in June 2013.

Despite suffering stab injuries to his side and stomach Adam managed to wrestle the 32-year-old to the ground, prise the knife from his grasp and, with the help of colleague PC Jean Stevens, restrain him until police back-up arrived.

Working as part of a response unit, attending emergency incidents across the region, Adam was the first officer on the scene that night.

But Police Constable Koch is all set to become Detective Constable Koch after the 35-year-old ranked among the best performing candidates in last month’s ‘gold standard’ investigators exam in UK policing.

Adam’s score of 87 per cent placed him 13th nationally out of almost 1,000 officers. 

He said: “By chance, about two weeks before the stabbing, I’d spoken to my wife about applying for different roles in the police. I’d worked as a response officer for six years and wanted to broaden my skills and experience.

“To some degree the emergency call to the mosque facilitated that change of career path because when I returned to work I joined an Investigation Team, away from the front line, while I continued my rehabilitation. 

“I really enjoyed the role and took on some interesting cases. You don’t get the adrenaline rush of being a response officer but it’s hugely satisfying ‘cracking’ a case and securing evidence against offenders that leads to convictions…and justice for victims.

“I’m now working as a detective in a child abuse team. It’s not for everyone – we work with some shocking, upsetting photographic evidence – but there can be no greater motivation to track down abusers and protect youngsters.”

Mosque knifeman Elmi was charged with two counts of attempted murder but a jury accepted a plea of not guilty on the grounds of insanity. He was instead detained indefinitely in a secure mental health facility and will only ever be released if experts deem him no longer a danger to the public.