PC Lance Powell    played by Ofo Uhiara

First appearance    # 210 (28/04/04)    

PC Lance Powell joined the Metropolitan Police to make a difference - he grew up in a tough neighbourhood and knew first hand what effect crime has on a community - especially the black community. He immediately joined the Met.'s Christian Police Association when he went to Hendon; but didn't join the Black Police Association, which raised a couple of eyebrows amongst his colleagues.

Yvonne doesn't have a chip on her shoulder about being black and recommended that Lance got on best with a 'just get on with it' attitude. Others, on the other hand sided with Lance when they started to perceive what they saw as bullying behaviour towards the young recruit from Supt. Okaro. This initially made Lance feel uncomfortable but he was always one who saw the best in people so he let it wash over him.

Lance was also gay but didn't flaunt his sexuality at work - but if someone posed the question he was honest with them; he was perfectly happy with his partner Mark, an SO19 Sergeant. Lance was comfortable with his sexuality because he'd found a way of squaring it with his religious faith and cultural background, although his friends initially struggled to come to terms with his decision. He was essentially a nice, down-to-earth bloke; his calm, easy-going manner quickly won him friends and allies around the station. That was why the relief took it so badly when the news of his murder was announced, for Lance was the victim of a gay serial killer operating in the Sun Hill area in November 2005.