‘I’ve identified 3,000 crime suspects in the West Midlands from CCTV - and I’m aiming to find 500 more in 2026'
Meet the West Midlands Police officer known as ‘Memory Cop’ due to his astonishing face recognition skills which have enabled him to identify 3,000 suspects
A police officer dubbed "Memory Cop" because of his mind-blowing face recognition skills is celebrating after spotting 3,000 suspects.
PCSO Andy Pope, 47, from West Midlands Police, is so perceptive he even picked out one robber by a mole on his face after seeing an image of him a year earlier.
Fellow coppers claim Andy can recognise faces from CCTV footage that is so grainy they wouldn’t be able to pick out their own mothers. He has built up an ability to remember faces from security film stills and police briefings and has even identified someone by the shape of their moustache.
The West Midlands Police officer, from Redditch, stores more faces year-on-year and averages one recognition every other shift. Since starting his career in 2015, he has identified 3,000 suspects and has single-handedly kept hundreds of criminals off the streets. The record-breaking cop is now aiming to break the 3,500 figure in 2026.
He said: “I've been asked many times over the years how I remember so many faces, but even now I couldn't give you the answer. It's just something that happens, and I feel extremely fortunate I'm able to assist in keeping the streets of the West Midlands safe. It was a proud moment to reach the 3,000 milestone but, if anything, it has just made me even more determined to spot more. I will be keeping a close eye out in 2026."
Suspects spotted by Andy can often be in crowded places and he has even managed to pick out people while they were wearing face masks during the Covid pandemic.
Andy said: “I’m just glad I can assist in catching crime suspects and keeping communities safe across the West Midlands. It’s really hard to explain how I manage to remember and spot faces, as it just comes natural. It’s a nice feeling to have passed the 3,000 milestone since I started the role. I’m hoping there will be many more to come too."
The ‘memory man’ has previously been presented with the Chief Constable’s award for his super identifying skills. He also became one of the first 20 people in the world to form part of the Association of Super Recognisers.
Over the past decade Andy has helped snare suspected murderers, rapists and robbers. Explaining his process, he said: "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 entails travelling 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 added: "It is hard to explain exactly how I remember so many faces. I spend time before I start a shift looking at some of the latest wanted faces and they just seem to stick in my mind.”
Ironically, despite having a memory for faces, the officer admits he’s “useless” at remembering dates.
He said: "I don't know whether I have a photographic memory. My wife has to deal with things like birthdays and anniversaries. When it comes to remembering dates, I'm useless."
