Police officers and civilian volunteers from across England and Wales have been recognised in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours List for their exceptional dedication to policing and public service. The annual honours celebrate individuals whose courage, professionalism and commitment have made a lasting impact on crime prevention, community safety and support for victims.
This year’s recipients represent a wide array of roles across the policing family. From frontline constables to specialist investigators and volunteer contributors, each honouree has demonstrated the resilience and integrity that underpin public trust in policing. Several individuals were awarded the prestigious King’s Police Medal (KPM) for Services to Policing, highlighting their sustained excellence in operational leadership and community protection. Among those recognised was Justine Keely Jenkins, lately, Detective Inspector, Hertfordshire, Detective Chief Supt. Heather Whoriskey and Adesola (Ade) Adelekan MVO - Assistant Commissioner.
Hertfordshire Constabulary Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: “I was delighted to hear about Justine’s success in being awarded the King’s Policing Medal in the 2026 New Year’s Honours list.
“This is a fantastic achievement for Justine, and is testament to her skill, dedication and leadership as a senior detective in Hertfordshire and Major Crime for many, many years.
“On behalf of everyone in the constabulary, I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Justine for her richly deserved recognition.”
Detective Chief Supt. Whoriskey is seen as a driving force in developing policing’s understanding and response to complex online harm, serving as the national lead for Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse within the network of Regional Organised Crime Units. As the Head of the Yorkshire & Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU) she successfully led the unit through an HMICFRS inspection that received exceptional feedback. She is also the founder and national lead of the Women in Serious and Organised Crime network (WISOC), a pioneering initiative which aims to ensure proportionate representation within specialist areas of policing.
West Yorkshire Police’s Chief Constable Sir John Robins QPM DL said: “I am immensely proud that our colleagues have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours. Their dedication, professionalism and compassion exemplify the very best of West Yorkshire Police.
“Heather has made a fantastic contribution to policing. Across every role, she has shown integrity, operational excellence and a relentless commitment to protecting the most vulnerable.
“These honours are a testament to their outstanding contribution to policing.”
Adesola (Ade) Adelekan MVO was recognised for his leadership and contribution to policing major events in London and engagement with underrepresented communities. His dedication has improved the trust and confidence these communities have in the Metropolitan Police and has improved inclusivity and diversity within the Metropolitan Police Service itself.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said:“I am proud to see our extraordinary officers and staff recognised for their public service, hard work and courage in The King’s New Year Honours List. These prestigious awards highlight the breadth of work we do in the Met and the huge impact policing has on everyday life across London and beyond.
“The work recognised in these honours is truly wide-ranging, demonstrating remarkable operational achievements and outstanding leadership. From building trust with a range of communities, dismantling serious organised crime gangs, tackling the increase in public order incidents, to protecting international and domestic leaders, these are all outstanding achievements.
“It is a privilege to work with such talented people and the Metropolitan Police Service is privileged to have them.”
National Chair Tiff Lynch extended her congratulations to all recipients saying, “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the police officers who have been recognised in the 2026 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. 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.”
PFEW CEO Mukund Krishna added, “Being recognised in the King’s Honours List is more than an individual achievement, it reflects the strength of collaboration between officers, volunteers and the communities they serve.
“True safety is built on trust and these honourees exemplify that trust every single day. On behalf of all of us at PFEW, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each recipient. Your dedication and integrity inspire us all and reinforce the shared responsibility we have in creating a society where everyone feels protected and valued.”
The Honours List also includes a broad cross-section of policing roles and achievements, from strategic leadership to innovative crime-fighting work, victim support initiatives and community engagement. These awards not only acknowledge individual excellence but also reflect the collective effort of policing teams working in partnership with local communities to keep people safe.
As in previous years, this year’s recipients have demonstrated the highest standards of public service, compassion and professionalism. Their contributions serve as a reminder of the vital role policing plays in modern society and the collective impact of those who serve with resolve and integrity.
King’s Police Medal (KPM)
- Adesola Monsuru Adelekan, M.V.O., Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Service
- Paul Brogden, Commander, Metropolitan Police Service
- Robert John Carden, Chief Constable, Merseyside Police
- Jonathan Miles Chadwick, Detective Chief Superintendent, Greater Manchester Police
- Jason Leigh Diamond, Temporary Inspector, North Wales Police
- Andrew Huddleston, lately, Superintendent, Northumbria Police
- Justine Keely Jenkins, lately, Detective Inspector, Hertfordshire Police
- Richard John Munns, lately, Superintendent, Metropolitan Police Service
- Mark Royston Plant, lately, Detective Constable, West Midlands Police
- Samantha Rennison, Chief Superintendent, Northumbria Police
- Daniel Hugh Frisby Richards, lately, Chief Superintendent, South Wales Police
- Kevin Mark Southworth, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Service
- Sian Louise Thomas, Detective Superintendent, Metropolitan Police Service
- Mark Steven Travis, lately, Assistant Chief Constable, South Wales Police
- Heather Millicent Whoriskey, Detective Chief Superintendent, West Yorkshire Police
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) - Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Robert John NIXON QPM DL Lately Chief Constable, Leicestershire Police and National Police Chief's Council Criminal Justice Lead. For services to Policing and Criminal Justice
- Neil Anthony BYRNE Police Staff, Police National Database, North Wales Police. For services to Policing
- Nichola Claire DUGMORE Unit Welfare Officer, Defence Serious Crime Command. For services to Service Police Personnel
- Roger Charles HIRST Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Essex. For services to Policing and to Community Safety
- Ramona SENIOR Police Staff, West Yorkshire Police. For services to Policing
- Richard Elliott WRIGHT Retired Police Superintendent. For services to the Welfare of Police Officers
Medallists of the Order of the British Empire
- Susan Jane BOHANAN Special Constabulary Co-Ordinator, Staffordshire Police. For services to the community in Staffordshire
- Leslie John HAWKINS Community Special Constable Co Ordinator, Essex Police. For services to Policing and to the community in Essex
- Dudley MARTIN Volunteer Lead Force Chaplain, West Yorkshire Police. For services to the Policing Community
- Kanti Karsan PINDORIA Police Staff, Special Constable and Volunteer Police Cadet Leader, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Policing and to the community in London
- Alice Florence POTTER Police Volunteer Christian Police Association and Chaplain, Surrey Police. For services to Policing and to the community in Surrey
- Justin Matthew THOMAS Police Staff, West Midlands Police and Founder, Young Gloves Karate. For services to Young People
- James Edward THOMPSON Special Constable, Northumbria Police. For services to Policing
Knights Bachelor
- John Patrick ROBINS QPM DL Chief Constable, West Yorkshire Police. For services to Policing
