Tim awarded King’s Police Medal for campaign on police driving law reform

13 June 2025

Former Chief Constable Sir David Thompson (right) recognised the work Tim Rogers put into the campaign when he presented him with an award during his own retirement event.

West Midlands Police Federation branch secretary Tim Rogers has been awarded the King’s Police Medal (KPM)  - one of the most prestigious honours in British policing - in recognition of his long-running campaign to give police drivers better protection in law.

Tim, who has served with West Midlands Police for 30 years, led the successful push to change legislation so that police drivers are no longer judged by civilian standards when responding to emergencies. 

Thanks to his efforts, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 now ensures that officers’ driving is assessed against that of a“competent and trained police driver”, rather than a “careful and competent member of the public”.

Delighted

Reflecting on the award which was announced in the King’s Birthday Honours, Tim said: “I’m delighted and genuinely humbled to receive the King’s Police Medal. When I first heard, I honestly thought it was a wind-up.

“I never realised the resistance I would face during this campaign - and some of it came from people you wouldn’t expect. But I knew how much this change mattered to officers on the ground. 

“They deserved to be protected in law for doing what they were trained and expected to do. That was the reward I fought for. This recognition is just the icing on the cake.”

Tim’s eight-year campaign involved persistent lobbying of MPs and extensive collaboration with national policing bodies, barristers and Government departments. 

He helped draft the Home Office’s public consultation document and worked to ensure post-reform training standards were embedded in police driving schools across the country.

Thanks

Tim has thanked several people for their support for the campaign.

He explains: “I had excellent backing from colleagues across the country who believed in the change as much as I did. Special thanks go to Norfolk Police Federation chair Andy Symonds. Andy introduced me to former North Norfolk MP Sir Henry Bellingham whose support was a game-changer. 

“I also want to acknowledge Roger Gardner from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Greater Manchester Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods who was the national lead for roads policing, and barrister Mark Aldred, who often stood beside me at the Police Federation’s annual national conference and helped draft parts of the legislation.”

Tim will receive his King’s Police Medal at an official awards ceremony later this year.

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