New Year's Honours recognise dedication of officers across the police service

West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson has received a Knighthood while the Director-General of the National Crime Agency (NCA), Lynne Owens, has been made a Dame.

Mr Thompson – who joined the force in 2010 as deputy chief constable before taking the top job six years later – said he was “genuinely humbled” to have been honoured.

He said: “When I saw the nomination I thought about my grandparents and the lives and opportunities they had. Were they alive they would struggle to imagine that a member of their family only two generations on could have been awarded this honour.

“This has been possible because of the support of my family, specifically my parents, my wife and our children. Like any police family Carole and my girls have made sacrifices for policing. It has also been possible because of policing and the people in it. I owe policing everything.

“A job where every constable can rise to be the chief constable. A service full of amazing diverse people who have taught me so much. Everyday officers and staff in this force put themselves at great peril for the public and I am humbled I get to work with you all. Thank you.

“The greatest honour of my life has been to be a police officer and then to be the chief constable of the West Midlands Police. Nothing can ever beat this but this is a lovely recognition for policing.”

The West Midlands police and crime commissioner David Jamieson said: “I’m delighted for all of the officers at West Midlands Police who have been honoured for their achievements by the Queen. It is thoroughly deserved.

“Perhaps most notable is the knighthood for our chief constable who has had a long and distinguished career in policing. I appointed Dave Thompson in 2016 to run West Midlands Police because he stood out as someone who possessed the rare qualities needed to handle one of the toughest jobs in the country. I’m pleased for him and his family, given the sacrifices they’ve both made, that his achievements have been recognised in this way.”

Ms Owens receives the recognition for exemplary and inspirational leadership in cutting serious and organised crime and protecting the UK public. She has been recognised for the transformation of the NCA at a critical time in its confrontation of this 21st century threat.

She said: “Like other recipients of these Honours, I am sure, I was shocked but delighted to receive the notification. I have worked alongside so many dedicated, professional, determined and compassionate colleagues throughout my career in law enforcement but none more so than in the NCA.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Lynne is a dedicated public servant, spending years on the policing and law enforcement front line, keeping the British public safe and delivering justice for victims of crime. I wholeheartedly congratulate her on receiving this prestigious honour.”

Two NCA officers have also been recognised. One, an intelligence officer,  has been appointed OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to law and order.

The unnamed officer has been instrumental in combating criminal use of technology over several years. Her work has directly contributed to the seizure of tens of millions of pounds in illicit cash, multiple tonnes of class A drugs, and dozens of illegal firearms, as well as the dismantling of crime groups.

Pauline Evans, also an NCA intelligence officer, is appointed MBE (Member of the British Empire) for services to law enforcement and fighting crime.

Ms Evans leads multi-agency activity focused on maximising law enforcement impact against the most high-risk serious and organised criminals. The increased capabilities delivered by this work have led to successes including the safeguarding of children, the removal of firearms from UK streets, and the identification of online offenders.

Ms Owens said: “I am pleased to be able to celebrate today alongside two of my NCA colleagues and others in the wider law enforcement family – it continues to be my pleasure and privilege to serve as part of it. These honours reflect the NCA’s unique role in leading the UK response to serious and organised crime, and the dedication of the entire agency to tackling those who pose the greatest risk, and the most complex challenge.”

Rank and file officers across the country have also been honoured alongside members of the Special Constabulary and members of police staff.

Detective Inspector Michelle Stoten of Essex Police, and former colleague Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore were honoured with the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) after playing important roles during the investigation into the death of the 39 Vietnamese migrants who were found dead in the back of a lorry in Essex in October 2019.

Det Insp Stoten was one of a team of 12 dedicated police officers and staff who visited Vietnam to meet the families impacted by the tragedy, while Det Chief Insp Pasmore handled the identification of the victims. Following a ten-week trial, Romanian ringleader Gheorghe Nica, 43, from Basildon, and lorry driver Eamonn Harrison, 24, from County Down, were found guilty of manslaughter.

A West Midlands Police officer who played a critical part in preparing her region to cope with the pandemic received the QPM. Detective Chief Inspector Jennifer Pearson spearheaded the transformation of an aircraft hangar at Birmingham Airport into a temporary mortuary, bringing in key people and contractors and ensuring the work was completed in good time and £5million under budget.

Det Chief Insp Pearson said finding out she will be among the small group of exceptional officers collecting a QPM at the Palace next summer was “an amazing feeling”, adding: “It’s a real honour – when your chief rings and says ‘I know your secret’, it’s like ‘wow, gosh it really is true and I’m not dreaming this’.”

Special Chief Officer Mark Owen of North Wales Police was appointed MBE while South Wales Police Sergeant Timothy Barrell was also recognised with the QPM.

Special Chief Officer Owen  joined the Special Constabulary after an illustrious career in the same force. Prior to retiring in 2012, he was in charge of the force control room, and started his police service on the beat in Wrexham.

In addition to local policing roles, which included being the temporary superintendent, Operations, covering Anglesey and Gwynedd, he worked in Operational Support, Roads Policing, Community Safety and HQ roles. He also served a period of secondment to the then ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) at national level and served abroad, in the Balkans, as part of a secondment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Special Chief Officer Owen said: “Serving as a member of the Special Constabulary is an excellent way of putting something back into the community. I decided to join the Special Constabulary as I am proud to have served as a police officer.”

Sergeant Barrell expressed surprise at the award and said: “I feel surprised to be honoured with the QPM. Policing is a difficult and challenging role and it’s all about teamwork – it’s a testament to the work of my team over the years.

“I’m as passionate about policing as I was when I joined up 20 years ago, and still feel excited driving to work every day and not knowing what will come next.”

Chief Constable Andy Cooke expressed delight that Merseyside Police Constable Malique Jamal Al-Shabazz was appointed MBE for the work he does with local communities.

Mr Cooke said: “Malique’s dedication and passion signify the very best of community policing and for the last 20 years he has served the community of Toxteth and the wider BME (black and minority ethnic) communities with a real desire and passion to make a difference and provide them with support.

“Malique is also a role model for new constables and has introduced a new process for probationers, which involves them spending a day with him learning about Muslim and Jewish cultures and how their policing style could affect these faiths and communities.”

PC Al-Shabazz added: “I’m really humbled by receiving this award and would like to thank the local community for all their help and support over the years. I felt truly humbled when I was told that I was receiving the award, particularly as I love doing what I do and the support I receive from my local community really helps to make my job so much easier.”

Suffolk Constabulary Special Inspector David Howse, who was awarded the BEM, joined the Special Constabulary in 2009 and provided resilience to the town of Haverhill while supporting his regular colleagues. His colleagues described him as ‘amazing and willing to do anything to help’.

More recently he worked with Highpoint prison intelligence staff to conduct visitor drug operations, which involved the coordination of special constables to search visitors who were suspected of bringing contraband items into the prison.

Reverend Glynne James, Principal Police Chaplain for South Wales, was also recognised with the BEM for dedicating more than six decades of his life to serving his country and community.

Rev James who has been a priest for 36 years in his local community, was in the armed forces in the far east before joining Swansea Borough Police in 1964. During his successful career he undertook various roles, including helping his colleagues handle stress and mental health issues as a welfare officer.

In 1996 he retired from the force and was appointed as the first police chaplain in Wales where he continued to assist officers, staff and their families by opening remembrance gardens for the fallen, holding services and developing the chaplaincy.

Reacting to the honour, he said: “When the Cabinet Office contacted me, I thought they had come to the wrong person. It was a pleasant shock which left me speechless and I feel touched and humbled that people have that trust, faith and belief in me.”

Welcoming news of the honours, national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales John Apter said: “Police officers do not do what they do for thanks or praise, but to be recognised with an honour from Her Majesty the Queen is the ultimate recognition and I congratulate all who have made this extraordinary achievement.

“2020 has been an exceptionally difficult year for us all. My colleagues have stepped up and done their absolute best in the most challenging of circumstances. There has been little to celebrate this year which is why police officers and police staff being recognised in this way is so welcome.”

President of the Police Superintendents’ Association, Paul Griffiths, said: “It seems all the more poignant this year to recognise the incredible members of the police family who have achieved so much for our service and for our communities.

“Policing involves challenge and sacrifice at all times, but 2020 has put this under the spotlight more than ever before.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks and congratulations to every police officer, staff member and volunteer that has been recognised today – this is a fitting reflection of the value placed on their continued efforts to keep people safe.

“A number of our current and former members are recognised in this year’s honours list and we are extremely proud of their achievements. Our National Executive Committee member, Chief Superintendent Kate Halpin from the Metropolitan Police Service, is among these, and from a personal perspective I would like to thank her for her outstanding professionalism and dedication in her support of policing and her roles with the Superintendents’ Association.”

Full list:

Knighthood

David Thompson QPM DL. Chief Constable, West Midlands Police. For services to Policing.

Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath

Lynne Gillian Owens CBE QPM. Director General, National Crime Agency. For service to Law Enforcement.

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Andrew George Beet. Lately Police Staff, Office for Security and Counter Terrorism, Home Office. For services to Law and Order.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Malique Jamal Al-Shabazz. Constable, Merseyside Police. For services to Policing and Ethnic Minority Communities in Merseyside.
Lee David Barnard. Detective Inspector, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Policing and to Victims of Domestic Abuse.
Douglas Gordon Fleming Barrow. Member, Court of Common Council and Lately Chairman, Police Authority Board, City of London. For services to the Maritime Sector and to the City of London.
Katherine Elizabeth Ann Hancock. Special Chief Officer, Warwickshire Police Special Constabulary. For services to Policing.
Janet Hills. Detective Sergeant, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Policing and to Community Relations.
Hobibul Hoque. Chief Inspector, Bedfordshire Police. For services to Policing and Community Cohesion.
Mark Anthony Owen. Special Chief Officer, North Wales Police. For services to Policing and to the community in North Wales, particularly during the Covid-19 Response.
Lindy Woodage. Staff Officer, Devon and Cornwall Police. For services to Policing and to Civil Contingency Planning, particularly during the Covid-19 Response.

British Empire Medal (BEM)

Michael Ernest Braycotton. Secretary, Disability and Carers Community Network and Business Support Assistant, Criminal Justice Department, West Midlands Police. For services to Policing.
Jennifer Brouard. Citizens in Policing Manager, Essex Police. For services to Policing and to the Voluntary Sector.
Robert Malcolm Davies. Special Constable, South Wales Police. For voluntary service to Policing.
Lancelot Bamidele Harvey Edmondson. Police Constable, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Community Policing in Lambeth, London.
Reverend William Glynne George James. Principal Police Chaplain, South Wales Police. For services to Police Chaplaincy and to the community in Gorseinon, Swansea.
Steven Jones. Systems Auditor and Analysis Manager, South Wales Police. For services to Policing.
Jacques Michael Olson Oxenham. Inspector, Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary. For services to Policing.
Helen Louise Ridley. Partnership Officer, Nottinghamshire Police. For services to Policing.
Ceyhun Uzun. Police Constable, St John’s Wood Safer Neighbourhood Team, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Policing and to Charity.
Tracey Helena Wren. Police Staff, Gloucestershire Constabulary. For services to the community in Gloucestershire.

Royal Victorian Medal RVM (Silver)

Audrey Maria Rozario. Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Royalty and Specialist Protection’s Special Escort Group.

Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) Home Office

Sergeant Timothy John Barrell. South Wales Police.
Sally Benatar. lately Chief Superintendent, Metropolitan Police Service.
Superintendent Andrew Philip Bennett. Avon and Somerset Police.
Detective Chief Inspector Jasmine Michelle Frost. Essex Police.
Detective Chief Superintendent Kate Halpin. Metropolitan Police Service.
Constable Philip Paul Hanham. Thames Valley Police.
Adrian Hanstock. Deputy Chief Constable, British Transport Police.
Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Paul Hooper. Essex Police.
Chief Superintendent Jane Johnson. Metropolitan Police Service.
Jason Dale Masters. Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, Leicestershire Police.
Robert John Nixon. Deputy Chief Constable, Leicestershire Police.
Martin George Pasmore. lately Detective Chief Inspector, Essex Police.
Detective Chief Inspector Jennifer Rita Pearson. West Midlands Police.
Gary Roberts. Chief Constable, Isle of Man Constabulary.
Mark Andrew Roberts. Deputy Chief Constable, South Yorkshire Police.
William Alan Skelly. lately Chief Constable, Lincolnshire Police.
Detective Inspector Michelle Catherine Stoten. Essex Police.
Michael Taylor. lately Detective Constable, Surrey Police.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Tucker. Metropolitan Police Service.
Nikki Watson. Assistant Chief Constable, Avon and Somerset Police.
Temporary Superintendent Hannah Faith Wheeler. Metropolitan Police Service.
Detective Inspector Caroline Anne Williams. Essex Police.
Kerrin Wilson. Assistant Chief Constable, Lincolnshire Police.

Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) Scottish Office

Detective Chief Superintendent Samantha McCluskey. Police Service of Scotland.
Chief Inspector Lindsay Tulloch. Police Service of Scotland.

Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) Northern Ireland Office

Detective Chief Inspector Norman James Lewis. Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Constable Robert McAllen. Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Inspector Mark Roberts. Police Service of Northern Ireland.