‘Exceptional’ staff member recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

Diane McCarthy has been appointed MBE for her commitment to improving inclusion and diversity within the force.

She joined BTP 30 years ago in the force control room. From there, she branched out into BTP’s Learning and Development team and now sits within Inclusion and Diversity as a training delivery lead.

Her work has seen her provide exceptional support to 1,500 police officers and police staff based in London and the south-east. Ms McCarthy has been praised for her continuous drive to identify and enact new training methods, ensuring everyone at BTP has access to the skills and knowledge they need. This has included opportunities for officers and staff to better understand different cultures and traditions, therefore improving their ability to protect the public.

A prime example of this is her work with work with the Ethiopian community. Her initiative created opportunities for police officers and staff to better understand Ethiopian culture and tradition. This improved cultural sensitivity, empathy, and understanding within the force.

Her citation reads: “Diane is a true ambassador to BTP, thanks to her exceptional dedication, outstanding service, and commitment to supporting others.”

It adds: “Diane’s efforts extend beyond her role, as she engages with colleagues to ensure that her work is tailored to meet the diverse needs of the police officers and staff. She has made a significant impact by assessing their needs, customising the course content, offering varied formats, gathering feedback, and carefully adapting to ensure inclusivity.”

Ms McCarthy said: “When I first found out I thought it was a joke at first. I spent ages trying to work out who in my circle was smart enough and had enough time on their hands to plan such an elaborate hoax. When I realised it was real, I then cried.

“I feel very flattered that somebody went to the effort of recommending me. I would like to acknowledge that nobody can receive this kind of recognition without the support and contribution of friends and colleagues, so this is a tribute to all that work in policing. My husband is now asking if he can put ‘married to an MBE recipient’ on the side of his work van.”

Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “Diane has done some remarkable work during her time in BTP, particularly since joining the Inclusion and Diversity team. She is a true professional and she has continued to strive to make the force a better place both for officers and staff, as well as the communities we serve.

“She is an exceptional member of BTP, and her dedication is inspirational to those who get to work alongside her. On behalf of everyone in the force I would like to congratulate her.”