Police Scotland officers and staff recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

Police Scotland’s Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton and Special Constable Alistair Cameron were awarded the King’s Police Medal (KPM). Head of fleet Tony Chalk and retired Special Constable Iain Sutherland were appointed MBE.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “These awards are testament to the dedication and professionalism of our officers and staff, including our fantastic special constables.

“I offer my warmest congratulations to Catriona, Alistair, Tony and Iain for this deserved recognition of their significant contribution to policing and their communities.”

Ms Paton, 51, joined Central Scotland Police in June 1991 and has served in response policing, community policing, criminal investigation, public protection, counter terrorism and organisational change roles.

She was promoted to chief superintendent in July 2020 and served as divisional commander for the Lothians and Scottish Borders (J) Division.

Ms Paton was promoted to assistant chief constable in June 2024 and leads the Policing Together portfolio. She lives in Forth Valley and is the mother of two adult sons.

Ms Paton said: “I believe I have been called to serve and policing has and continues to provide me with the greatest opportunities to connect and positively influence and support those in need.

“I count it a privilege to have such a challenging and rewarding job. Receiving an honour from His Majesty the King is a great honour but it is also humbling given policing is predicated on working together with colleagues, partners and communities and therefore this award is testament to the guidance and support I have received throughout many years, not least from my wonderful family and friends whose support has been and remains invaluable to me.”

Special Constable Cameron, 46, has served his community in the Lothians and Scottish Borders for 27 years. He is also the chief executive officer of a life sciences business.

He lives in the Lothians and Scottish Borders with his wife and two children.

He said: “I am proud and humbled to receive this honour. Like most volunteer police officers, I rely on my family’s unwavering support to give my best in keeping people safe. This award is as much theirs as mine.

“The highs and lows of policing are extreme, but the rewards are exceptional. I have been challenged and personally developed in ways I never thought possible.

“The public rightly expects every officer to be trained, equipped, and supported to make a positive difference. I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of volunteer officers and look forward to playing my part for many years.”

Mr Chalk, 59, joined Strathclyde Police as a senior manager in the fleet department in 2001 and has served for over 20 years, including ten as head of fleet for the single national service.

With responsibility for 3,500 vehicles and all fleet staff, he has played a key role in increasing the availability of the fleet for officers and staff to more than 95 per cent. He has also been at the heart of work to transition the Police Scotland fleet to ultra low emission vehicles.

Mr Chalk lives in Renfrewshire and is married with two children.

He said: “I’m overwhelmed and blown away to receive this honour.

“The award is all down to the fleet staff who work tirelessly to keep vehicles on the road and to keep people safe.”

Mr Sutherland, 70, retired as a Special Constable last September after more than 37 years, during which he took on the team lead role for the Highlands and Islands mobile CCTV unit. He was also a sales manager.

He lives in Inverness with his wife and has three daughters and eight grandchildren.​

He said: “The award was quite a surprise but I’m proud and happy about it. I’m the first person in my family who has had something like this and I’m also pleased for my family.”