GMP chief constable knighted in King’s Birthday Honours
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Chief Constable Stephen Watson QPM has received a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Since his appointment in 2021, the chief constable has brought GMP out of ‘special measures’ in under two years – turning it into the most improved force in the country by 2023, based on the findings of a report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
Sir Stephen has led the second largest force in the country through one of the most rapid and wide-ranging transformations in British policing history – reducing crime by 7.2 per cent, increasing the number of crimes solved by 70 per cent and delivering sector-leading response times.
Sir Stephen is among the most experience senior officers in the country, having joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1988; moving on to roles in Merseyside Police, the Metropolitan Police Service, Durham Constabulary and South Yorkshire Police which, during his tenure as chief constable, became the most improved force in the country for three consecutive years.
In April, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham extended Sir Stephen’s contract, so he can “finish the job” of transforming GMP.
Mr Watson’s current contract ran until May 2026, but the mayor has now extended this to May 2028.
Sir Stephen said: “I was delighted and humbled in equal measure on learning that I was to receive an honour from HM The King.
“I am immensely grateful to my wife and family for their unstinting support; they have willingly made innumerable sacrifices over many years, as is the case for so many police families.
“My own good fortune only arises because of the guidance, support and confidence provided to me by a great number of excellent colleagues over a long career.
“It has been the privilege of my life to work amongst the extraordinary officers and staff of GMP and in several other forces across our country.
“My honour is reflective of their sustained determination, decency and effectiveness in the service of the public.”
An inspector who established the Dementia Safeguarding Scheme in Avon and Somerset has also been recognised.
Inspector Stuart King will receive a King’s Police Medal (KPM) ten years after setting up the lifesaving scheme. During that time, the Dementia Safeguarding Scheme has grown significantly, with thousands of people benefitting from it, both within Avon and Somerset and beyond.
Detective Constable Dawn Jeffries, Metropolitan Police Service, has also been honoured. She has been awarded the KPM for her 30-year policing career, specifically her work in the development and evolution of the Family Liaison Advisory Team.
PC Alison Harle has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to policing for her work to deliver significant ceremonial events. PC Harle joined City of London Police 27 years’ ago in 1998 and is now an operational planner officer in Operations and Duty Planning.
Commissioner Pete O’Doherty said: “It gives me immense pleasure to extend my sincerest congratulations to PC Alison Harle on being awarded the British Empire Medal. This distinguished award is a testament to Ali’s exceptional contributions during her 28 years in policing and significant contributions to the City of London Police. Ali’s long-standing commitment and hard work are in inspiration to us all.”
Former Commissioner of the City of London Police, Ian Dyson, has been appointed CBE for his voluntary and charitable services and to policing.
Since retiring as Commissioner, he has devoted himself to a wide range of voluntary work.
PC Mark Hobin, who joined Merseyside Police 22 years ago, has been appointed MBE.
Chief Constable Kennedy said: “Mark is one of those incredible people who has dedicated a huge portion of his life and service to supporting others through his charitable work.
“His selfless contribution throughout the last 15 years has been amazing and in that time he has raised more than £1million for charities and community organisations including Portico Vine ARLFC, the Doyle Phillips Foundation, Great Britain Police Rugby League Association, the force’s Baby Loss Peer Support Group, Miscarriage Association and Care of Police Survivors.
“Mark started his charitable work following the death of his colleague Sgt Darren Southern 15 years ago and since then the funds that he has raised has supported and helped so many others and it is fitting that he has received this award.”
Junior Anderson, a police constable in the Youth Violence Intervention Team at Northamptonshire Police, and Henny Cameron, a volunteer at the force since January 2012 following her retirement from a police staff role in the IT department, were both awarded a BEM.
A dedicated British Transport Police (BTP) employee credited with having a “profound impact on the force” has been awarded the BEM for services to policing.
Jane Horton served as Finance Planning and Analysis Manager up until her retirement last year.
In her 30 years at BTP she is credited with advising senior leaders and helping strengthen stakeholder relations, and it was in no small part thanks to Jane’s financial expertise that additional policing could be secured for the launch of the Elizabeth line in 2022.
Through her efforts, the force was able to recruit and deploy extra officers for the opening. Such was her success that her plan has now been adopted for all future large-scale events.
Additionally, while working for BTP Ms Horton was an active and dedicated volunteer, supporting the force’s policing of the London Olympics in 2012. Despite being retired she continues to commit her time to BTP, assisting in the training of police dogs and playing an integral role as an actor for major incident scenario planning.
Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “Jane’s contribution to BTP cannot be overstated – in her long career not only has she laid the financial groundwork for future large-scale operations but she continues to serve the force with her tireless volunteering.”
Police Scotland’s Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie was awarded the KPM.
Mr Ritchie joined Strathclyde Police in 1991 and retired in April 2025 after 33 years’ police service. He was appointed as an assistant chief constable in 2019 and was instrumental in the roll-out of naloxone to all frontline police officers in 2020, making Police Scotland the first force globally to implement a nationwide roll-out of the medication used to reverse the effect of opioids.
He was the Gold commander for the COP26 climate summit held in Glasgow in 2021 and was also the Gold commander during Covid-19, actively engaging with partners across health, social care and government. He played a key role in facilitating information sharing and supporting the Independent Advisory Group to ensure the police response remained aligned with human rights requirements.
Seven police officers and staff from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List for their outstanding service, dedication, and commitment to policing and public safety.
Inspector Richard Brown and Catherine Burke, formerly of the force’s Occupational Health and Wellbeing Department, were appointed MBE.
BEMs were awarded to part-time Constable Trevor Watson and a police staff member who declined publicity.
Constable Stephen Dickson, Constable Dennis Kirk and one recipient who declined publicity, were awared the KPM.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: “I am incredibly proud to see the dedication and bravery of our officers and staff members recognised through the King’s Birthday Awards 2025.
“Their unwavering commitment to serving and protecting our communities in Northern Ireland exemplifies the very best of policing.
“These honours reflect not only individual accomplishments, but also the dedication and professionalism that define the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
“Our officers and staff go above and beyond every single day to provide communities in Northern Ireland with a Police Service they deserve.
“On behalf of the entire organisation I offer my heartfelt congratulations to all of the recipients and their families.”
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) extended its heartfelt congratulations to all police officers recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.
Recipients include West Midlands Police Federation Branch Secretary Tim Rogers, who has been awarded the KPM in recognition of spearheading a long-running Police Federation campaign to give police drivers better protection in law.
Mr Rogers, who has served with West Midlands Police for 30 years, led the successful push to change legislation so that police drivers are no longer judged by civilian standards when responding to emergencies.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 now ensures that officers’ driving is assessed against that of a “competent and trained police driver”, rather than a “careful and competent member of the public”.
Acting National chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales Tiff Lynch, said: “I would like to give my most heartfelt congratulations to all those officers recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours.
“Police officers are humble individuals who don’t do what they do for praise or recognition but when it comes it is very much appreciated and very much deserved.
“Our colleagues work under enormous pressure, and the recognition for police officers, sets an example to us all and highlights the positive impact of the police service.
“In the future, I hope many more of my colleagues will receive this highest of honours for their extraordinary achievements.”
Knighthoods
Stephen Watson QPM, Chief Constable, Greater Manchester Police
Order of the British Empire Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
Ian Christopher Dyson QPM DL, Lately Commissioner, City of London Police.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Martin Fairley, Service Delivery Manager, Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services. For services to Criminal Justice.
Paul Holmes, Senior Director of Investigations, Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. For Public Service.
Mohammed Umar Hussain MBE, Police Staff, Chief Finance Officer, South Wales Police. For services to Policing Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Members of the Order of the British Empire
Linda Belgrove, Founder and chair, Essex Retired Police Dogs Fund. For services to charity.
Richard Brown, Inspector, Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Catherine Burke, lately Occupational Health and Wellbeing, Police Service of Northern Ireland.
James Dalgleish, Inspector, Clyde Marine Unit, Ministry of Defence Police. For services to Defence Policing.
Hazel Fothergill, Police Staff, Executive Assistant, Merseyside Police. For services to Policing.
Mark David Hobin, Police Constable, Merseyside Police.
Carole Johnson, Police Staff, Central Authority Bureau Manager, Durham Constabulary. For services to Policing.
Nichola Page, Chief Human Resources Officer, Police Service of Scotland. For services to Policing, to Equality, and to Health.
Michael Parry, Head of Analysis, TARIAN Regional Organised Crime Unit, South Wales Police. For services to Policing.
John Thirkettle, Police Staff, Mental Health Operations Manager, Humberside Police. For services to Policing
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire
Junior Anderson, Police Constable, Youth Violence Intervention Team, Northamptonshire Police.
Henrietta Cameron, Police Volunteer, Northamptonshire Police. For services to the community in Northamptonshire.
Adam Cox, Police Staff, Lead Intelligence Analyst, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Policing.
Adrian Habgood, Principal Forensic Evidence and Exhibits Officer, West Yorkshire Police. For services to Policing.
Alison Natalie Harle, Police Constable, City of London Police.
Stephen Hart, Police Community Support Officer, South Yorkshire Police. For services to the Homeless and to Policing
Jane Horton, Finance Planning and Analysis Manager, British Transport Police. For services to Policing
Janet Humphrey, Police Staff, Suffolk Police. For services to the community in Suffolk.
Damien Penman, Special Constable, Wiltshire Police.
Joan Smyth, Administrative Officer, Police Service of Northern Ireland. For services to Policing
Trevor Watson, part-time Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Philip Wells, Assistant Chief Officer, Bedfordshire Police. For services to Policing
King’s Police Medal
England and Wales
Kevin Baldwin, lately Assistant Chief Constable, Essex Police.
Margaret Blyth, Chief Constable, Gloucestershire Police.
Justin Burt, lately Detective Inspector, West Yorkshire Police.
Carl Daniel Galvin, Assistant Chief Constable, West Yorkshire Police.
Katherine Frances Goodwin, Detective Superintendent, Metropolitan Police Service.
Dawn Jeffries, Detective Constable, Metropolitan Police Service.
Heath Joseph Thomas Keogh, Constable, Metropolitan Police Service.
Stuart Stephen King, Inspector, Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
Martin Levi, lately Detective Inspector, Greater Manchester Police.
John Donaldson Philip, Chief Officer Special Constabulary, Humberside Police.
Samantha Ellen Ridding, lately Detective Chief Superintendent, West Midlands Police.
Timothy John Rogers, Sergeant, West Midlands Police.
Paul David Sanford, Chief Constable, Norfolk Constabulary.
Joanne Elizabeth Shiner, Chief Constable, Sussex Police.
David Mark Thomason, Detective Sergeant, Cheshire Constabulary.
Nigel Philip Walsh, lately Detective Superintendent, West Midlands Police.
Julia Anne Wellby, lately Detective Sergeant, Metropolitan Police Service.
Scotland
Gary Ritchie, Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland.
Northern Ireland
Stephen Dickson, Constable, Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Dennis Kirk, Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Crown Dependencies
Christopher Paul Beechey, Detective Chief Inspector, State of Jersey Police.
Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO)
Awarded by the Sovereign, independent of the Government, to recognise loyal service to the Monarchy.
Christopher Conrad, Chief Inspector, Metropolitan Police Service.
Richard Jackson, Sergeant, Metropolitan Police Service.
Robert Galloway, Sergeant, Metropolitan Police Service.