THE West Midlands Association of Muslim Police (AMP) is to be officially launched at the national association's first annual conference next week.

PC Rizwan Mustafa, a community cohesion officer in the force's Diversity Unit, will be the interim chair of the newly formed West Midlands branch of the association, pending a formal election process.

The West Midlands branch of the association aims to provide a support network for the West Midlands Police.

The AMP will contribute in improving equality of opportunity and the working environment. It will also aim to raise awareness and assist in resolving issues that affect the organisation, Muslim staff and communities.

The AMP will contribute to community engagement through effective partnerships, thereby improving community cohesion and building trust and confidence.

The National Association of Muslim Police (NAMP) will hold its 1st annual conference at Ryton-on-Dunsmore on Tuesday 29 January.

Over 200 invited guests will be attending and speakers include the Rt. Hon. Tony McNulty M.P, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, HMCIC, Sir Ian Blair, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Paul Scott Lee, West Midlands Police Chief Constable and Superintendent Dal Babu (President NAMP).

The theme of the conference will be Muslim Police - Improving Trust, Confidence and Safety', and will look at how Muslim officers can make a difference to these key goals and objectives.

The National Association of Muslim Police was launched in July 2007 and currently has five regional branches across the country.

It is regularly consulted on key policing issues, both nationally and locally.

The association is also working closely with the Police Federation and other police related support associations to identify opportunities where they could assist members.