Fed member surprised to be named in New Year’s Honours list

8 January 2024

A West Midlands Police Federation member says he was ‘surprised’ and ‘humbled’ to have been recognised with the King’s Police Medal (KPM) in the New Year’s Honours.

Detective Sergeant John Price initially thought someone was playing a joke on him when he found out about his award - and then had to keep it a secret for almost two months.

John said: “I was totally taken by surprise. It’s very humbling.

“I found out in November, but you’re sworn to secrecy not to tell anyone until it’s officially released.

“I had a call from the Home Office to say my name had been put forward from the Prime Minister to the King.

“I did ask a couple of times if it was a blag or a bit of a joke, but they did confirm it wasn’t.

“It’s difficult to keep it to yourself when you know something like that.

Detective Sergeant John Price.

“You can’t really announce it to anyone. That’s been the hardest bit, keeping it a secret.

I’m surprised I managed to keep it a secret for so long.

“But since it’s been announced I’ve had lots of messages and lots of support from family and friends, which has been really nice.”

The King’s Police Medal is awarded to members of the police service in all four nations of the United Kingdom for a specially distinguished record in police specific services of conspicuous merit, according to the Cabinet Office.

John’s award recognises his leading role in enhancing digital forensics.

John said he does not know who nominated him for the award, but said it would not have been possible without the support of his colleagues.

"Potentially I’ll never know who nominated me,” he said.

“It’s a pinch yourself moment where you wake up and think wow, I’ve been awarded a KPM.

“But it’s a massive team effort and you’re only as good as those around you.”

John joined the service in 1998, initially with the British Transport Police, before transferring to West Midlands Police in 2001.

He has worked in a number of teams, including neighbourhood policing, CID, tackling acquisitive crime, counter-terrorism, and has been working in digital forensics since 2016.

His work has included developing the role of Digital Crime Scene Manager to provide on-the-spot digital advice to officers investigating serious crimes and ensure potential evidence is gathered at the earliest opportunity, the Force said.

This included the introduction of digital scene triage - ‘digivans’ - which provides faster and easier access to tools and technology to examine digital devices at any location.

“Digital cyber is one of those areas where you see something different every day,” he said.

“There’s never a day you go into work and think you know it all because the way digital cyber changes every day, you’ll always have to stay on top of the curve.

“It’s always changing as devices change and the way people use digital devices.”

West Midlands Federation chair Rich Cooke sent his congratulations on behalf of the branch.

He said: “It is a great honour for any officer to be awarded the King’s Police Medal, one of the highest awards in policing.

“On behalf of the Federation, I send my congratulations to John. I am sure he is very proud to have been recognised in this way.”

Chief Constable Craig Guildford added: “This recognition for John is very much deserved and acknowledges his outstanding contribution to not only West Midlands Police, but UK and international law enforcement agencies.

“His professionalism in showcasing the important work West Midlands Police digital forensics have been undertaking for victims of crime is inspiring.”