HM Chief Inspector Andy Cooke knighted in New Year Honours List

He said: “I am deeply humbled to be awarded this high honour by His Majesty the King. Making communities safer has been my life’s work, and this recognition is a testament to the incredible people I’ve been lucky enough to work with throughout my career.

“I joined policing to make a difference and I’ve loved every role I’ve held over the last 39 years. It was a privilege to lead Merseyside Police, working alongside thousands of dedicated and professional officers, staff and volunteers. I took a special pride from keeping my own community safe, where I was brought up and still live today.

“More recently, as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, I’ve been able to help drive substantial improvements in police forces across England and Wales and fire and rescue services in England. This is vitally important work, and I will continue to hold forces and services to the highest standards.

“I would like to thank my colleagues who have supported me throughout my career and my family, who have always stood by my side. This honour belongs as much to them as it does to me.”

The 2025 list includes a total of 37 police and law enforcement personnel from all ranks, honoured for their extraordinary contributions to policing.

There were OBEs for Jenny Leonard, T/Chief Legal Adviser at the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), for services to policing and national security, and Assistant Chief Officer Ian Cosh at Greater Manchester Police (GMP) for services to policing.

The MPS said Ms Leonard’s honour recognised her “national leadership in police law to protect the public, improve national security and pioneer innovative technology”.

Mr Cosh said: “I am incredibly proud and grateful to receive this honour. The work that we all do at GMP is a collaborative endeavour, and I would not be here today without the support and cooperation of our officers and staff.”

Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), Gavin Stephens, said: “A huge congratulations and well done to all of those recognised for their service to policing in His Majesty the King’s New Year Honours List.

“Police bravery and dedication to duty has been at the forefront this year, and I am so pleased to see so many officers, staff, and volunteers from across the country awarded for their contribution to keeping our communities safe.

“Policing is a job like no other that requires a tremendous amount of commitment, dedication and courage, and I am proud to see the recipients recognised in this way.”

Tiff Lynch, acting national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, congratulated all honourees, saying: “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the police officers who have been recognised in the 2025 King’s New Year Honours List.

“This is a proud moment not only for the recipients but also for their families, colleagues, and communities. These honours highlight the exceptional dedication, bravery, and commitment to public service that our officers display daily, often in the most challenging and demanding circumstances.

“To be recognised in this way is a reflection of the high esteem in which you are held by the public and the Crown. It is also a reminder of the vital role policing plays in keeping our communities safe.

“On behalf of the Police Federation of England and Wales, I thank you for your extraordinary contributions and congratulate you on this well-deserved recognition.”

Knighthood

Andrew Cooke, QPM, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services, for Services to Policing and to Public Service

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Jenny Leonard, T/Chief Legal Advisor, Metropolitan Police Service, for Services to Policing and to National Security

Ian Cosh, Assistant Chief Officer, Greater Manchester Police, for Services to Policing

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Desmond (Des) Brown, Founder, Growing Futures UK and Vice Chair, Independent Scrutiny of Police Powers Panel, Avon and Somerset Police, for Services to the Community of Avon and Somerset

Imran Shah, Chair, Independent Advisory Group and Community Leader, West Yorkshire Police, for Services to Policing and the Community in West Yorkshire

Kerry-Anne Cooper, Police Chaplain, Hertfordshire Constabulary, for Services to the Community of Hemel Hempstead

Ronald (Ron) McMurdie, Lately Special Chief Inspector, Hertfordshire Constabulary, for Services to Policing

Mark Lay, National Drug Coordination Lead, Dyfed-Powys and NPCC, for Services to Preventing Drug Related Deaths

Andy Paget, Senior Force Chaplain, Avon and Somerset Police, for Services to Policing and to the Community of Avon and Somerset

Anthony McNally, Detective Chief Superintendent, Police Service of Northern Ireland

Gary Craig, Inspector, Police Service of Northern Ireland

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Rona Benson, CCTV Operator, Norfolk Constabulary, for Services to Policing and Crime Prevention

Carly Hart, Neighbourhood Support Officer, Cardiff East        South Wales Police, for Services to Policing and to the Local Community

Jennifer Lamboll, Police Staff Supervisor, Contact Management Centre, Thames Valley Police, for Services to Policing

Marek Regan, Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), Metropolitan Police Service, for Services to Community Sports

Lynne Fairclough, Community Volunteer, Merseyside Police, for Services to Policing and the Community of Merseyside

Jeremy Holland, Police Support Volunteer, North Yorkshire Police, for Services Policing and to the Community

Douglas (Doug) Allen, Police Support Volunteer, Avon and Somerset Police, for Services to Policing and to the Community

David Smith, Police Sergeant, North Wales Police, for Services to the Community in North Wales and to Charity

King’s Police Medal (KPM)

Ross Dorman, Lately, Constable, Kent Police

Christopher (Chris) Haward, Chief Constable, Lincolnshire Police and NPCC

James Roger Weems, Lately, Chief Superintendent, Thames Valley Police

Ian William Hunter, Lately, Detective Chief Superintendent, Thames Valley Police

Kathryn (Kate) Thacker, Detective Chief Superintendent, Norfolk Constabulary

Gary Martin Haskins, Detective Superintendent, Avon and Somerset Police

Trevor Brian Rodenhurst, Chief Constable, Bedfordshire Police

Mark Jeffrey O’Dell, Inspector, Metropolitan Police Service

Matthew Hardcastle, Constable, Metropolitan Police Service

Emma Laura Harris, Detective Sergeant, Metropolitan Police Service

Matthew (Matt) Twist, Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Service

Mark Colin Baker, Lately, Detective Chief Superintendent, Merseyside Police

Nicola Louise Bryar, Lately, Detective Chief Superintendent, West Yorkshire Police

Mohammed Osman Khan, Assistant Chief Constable, West Yorkshire Police

Justin Matthew Twigg, Lately, Detective Inspector, West Yorkshire Police

Michael Philip West, Lately, Detective Superintendent, Devon and Cornwall Police

Jeremy Mark Vaughan, Chief Constable, South Wales Police

Shaheen Baber, Lately, Superintendent, Police Scotland

Alan Speirs, Deputy Chief Constable, Police Scotland

Samuel Donaldson, Chief Superintendent, Police Service of Northern Ireland

Melanie Jones, T/Assistant Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland

Jeremy Lindsay, Chief Superintendent, Police Service of Northern Ireland