When Isaac was in secondary school, the bullying he received for being a queer, trans man was a regular occurrence.

It made his life miserable.

But he said this bullying pushed him to join the police force and has now risen to Deputy Head Cadet for Merton borough’s Volunteer Police Cadets.

"I started attending the Volunteer Police Cadets to get help and it had a massive impact on my life," he said.

"I felt safe enough to come out to my cadet group around a year ago, and since then have received tons of support and acceptance.

“I strive to help other cadets learn and understand more about me and the LGBT+ community to keep the community as safe as I found it."

So on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (May 17), Isaac decided to share his story, and his mum couldn't be prouder.

“Isaac has been on a path of discovery this last year by embracing his true identity but also by following a professionally run programme called The Advocacy Academy," she said.

"He has learnt a great deal about speaking out and proud on behalf of himself and others liked him, they showed him how to use one's voice to gain recognition, respect, and rethinking.

“Within the VPC, he found understanding and acceptance from his unit, so much so that his younger brother and two sisters have also joined.

"I'm extremely proud of him."

Isaac said that joining the cadets was one of the best things he ever did.

“I am proud to be a part of early days of an official LGBT VPC Network which is currently going from strength to strength offering support and a safe place to talk, discuss and get support from the friends I have made in Merton’s VPC," he said.

“IDAHO is important to me because no one should ever be made to feel like their identity is wrong.

"Everyone deserves the right to be proud of who they are”.