Bruce Willis' 90-year-old mother Marlene Willis has been hailed as an "icon" after 22 years volunteering with the LAPD.

The Die Hard actor's mother, known as Mrs Willis to those at the Los Angeles Police Department's West LA station, is still helping out on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons by checking grammar and adding notes to police reports.

Captain Rich Gabaldon, the station's commanding officer, told NBC Los Angeles: "Mrs. Willis is a very integral part of West Los Angeles and the LAPD.

"She's an icon here."

Marlene described the LAPD as her "family", adding that she is delighted to do her part.

She added: "I want to help so much, so much. You have no idea. You cannot imagine how much I want to help."

As well as her administrative work, Marlene has been known to give officers a welcome hug when they come back after having to deal with a difficult incident.

Former LAPD Chief Michel Moore said: "I think she means the very best of people that are individuals who believe in the work that our men and women do."

Meanwhile, he noted that Marlene never mentions her famous son - who has frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and has retired from acting due to his health - and the only hint of the connection is a picture of them hugging each other as her screen saver on her computer.

Moore added: "She was never one to wear her identity as his mother on her sleeve or even involve him in even passing references of her life, which impressed me."

He previously named her LAPD volunteer of the year, and later gave her a "a badge of the law centre police department.

He explained: "While I can't make her a cop, I can at least give her the greatest symbol of what it means to be a cop."

Moore is now retired, but in a message to Marlene, he spoke of the "lasting impression" she left on him.

He added: "Marlene, there are people in our lives that when you cross their path; they leave a lasting impression.

You are one that has risen to the top of one of the best impressions. To you and the work you do, we will be forever grateful."