‘I’m extremely grateful’: Special honoured with BEM

19 August 2025

He may not do the job for the recognition, but Special Inspector Ryan Clarke says he remains as motivated as ever after being awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM).

Celebrating a decade in the Special Constabulary, Ryan’s milestone was marked perfectly when he received a letter earlier this year from the Cabinet Office.

It informed him he had been honoured for his services to the Nottinghamshire community.

“I had to read it a few times before it sunk in, to be honest – it was an incredible surprise and still now, feels a bit surreal,” Ryan said.

“It may be 10 years since I joined, but I certainly never saw myself being earmarked for something like a BEM – not least because I have so many wonderful colleagues who are deserving of recognition themselves.

“My dad, Special Inspector Paul Clarke, has been a Special in Nottinghamshire since 1998, so I’ve grown up with that very direct influence and becoming one myself was always a possibility.

“But that isn’t enough of a reason on its own – you still have to want to make a difference yourself, and I genuinely wanted to help make my community safer and better, so this award means a great deal to me.”

Ryan’s BEM reflects his impact in his current role leading learning and development for Nottinghamshire’s Special Constabulary.

Cohorts

The 28-year-old oversees initial training for new Specials, supporting two cohorts a year, as well as providing both mandatory and additional CPD. Under his leadership, Nottinghamshire Police has become one of the UK’s leading forces in meeting the College of Policing’s newly standardised guidelines.

“Getting to a point where I can support other Specials as they make their first steps in the Force has been a privilege,” he said, adding: “I feel a real sense of dedication to getting them trained and fully equipped as best as possible, because I want us to be the best we can be.”

Set to be formally presented with his medal in October, Ryan says he would like to think this commendation is not just a reflection of his recent work, but a culmination of his entire journey so far.

He began his voluntary service at 18, supporting a response team in Mansfield, before becoming a Special Sergeant, overseeing colleagues in both response and neighbourhood teams across Mansfield and Ashfield.

Among his proudest moments was helping lead the Special Constabulary’s response to COVID-19. As part of Operation Bion, he led a team that became the ‘face of the Force’ for local residents while regular officers focused on frontline response amid staff shortages.

“That’s one of the beauties of the Special Constabulary – we can provide resilience and a visible presence when it’s needed most,” he reflected.

“Time stood still, and it was an opportunity to engage with the community like never before.”

Nominated

Ryan, who is currently studying for a PhD in History, ended by paying tribute to his colleagues: “I feel so fortunate to have such incredible colleagues in the Special Constabulary, and I’d like to think this medal is reflective of their amazing service too, because I certainly couldn’t have done it without them.

“I’m still not sure exactly who nominated me, but I am extremely grateful – not just for the medal itself, but the opportunity to look back and see I’ve made a valued contribution, which quite often you don’t get to do.

“I’m a career Special and I’m in this for the long haul, and something like this only makes me even more determined to make a difference and support others to do the same.”

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