Outstanding officers recognised in King’s New Year Honours

30 December 2023

In the 2023 King’s New Year Honours list, police officers from across the nation, along with remarkable civilian volunteers, have received recognition for their outstanding contribution to policing and support for victims of crime.

National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, Steve Hartshorn, said: “On behalf of the PFEW I would like to congratulate all our police officer colleagues who have been recognised in the New Year Honours list for 2023. To receive an award is a great achievement and this is due recognition for their work and commitment to policing which must make them and everyone very proud.”

Of mention this year is Special Chief Inspector Laura Hart who received the King’s Police Medal (KPM), for Services to Policing.

Laura Hart, from Walton, is the senior-most female volunteer in Merseyside Police and throughout her public service has made a determined impact on improving officer skills, knowledge, and training while exploring opportunities for female Special Constable officers. 

Special Chief Inspector Hart has worked with the force's Women’s Network to ensure female officers are mentored, and has identified female officers to take up acting sergeant roles and has participated in a national recruitment video inspiring other females to join the constabulary contributing to an uplift in the number of female officers over past 12 months.

She has developed new opportunities not seen anywhere else in the UK enabling SCs to work in areas of policing such as investigation, hate crime and protecting vulnerable people.

Merseyside Police’s Chief Constable Serena Kennedy KPM said: “Laura works not only as a Special but also as police staff within the Criminal Justice department. 

"Her greatest strength and passion are welfare and wellbeing of her colleagues. 

"She routinely supports those in her care through key life and policing milestones. Laura's dedication and commitment to voluntary public service has seen her work on an average of 18 volunteer hours per week which is in addition to her position as police staff. 

"Her selfless contribution over 15 years has had a clear impact on the reputation of the force both locally and nationally.”

Special Chief Inspector Hart said: “I am speechless and so proud to be recognised with the King’s Police Medal. I joined the Special Constabulary as I really wanted to make a difference and it has become a huge part of my life. So much so, I continue to work as a Special Chief Inspector alongside my role as police staff.

“Female leadership, wellbeing and training are all really important to me and I’m proud to be involved in the development of several projects which will help to provide opportunities for others.”

The Met’s Explosives Officer Mick Kettle has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his work in the UK and abroad as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operator. 

Mick has dealt with the most complex terrorist bombs in very demanding circumstances requiring him to always put the safety of others before his own. He has promoted and lectured on safe explosive ordnance disposal internationally, including deployments to Oman, Bahrain, Singapore and the USA. Prior to joining the Met he spent 25 years as an ammunition technician in the British Army, achieving the highest level of qualification in improvised explosive device disposal.

Detective Inspector (DI) Rasheed Alawiye – British Empire Medal (BEM) – has been awarded for developing and championing diversity and inclusion initiatives across the Met.

DI Rasheed Alawiye developed a campaign for meaningful cultural change and instigated action across the Met to debate inclusion, diversity and equality by developing Discussions Matter, a series of videos that brought together officers and staff from different backgrounds where personal experiences of diversity addressed uncomfortable topics in a way which was authentic, respectful, informative and productive.

DI Alawiye said: “I am honoured, proud and humbled by this nomination. It’s a nod to the brave individuals within the diversity and inclusion groups that I’ve been involved in over the years, and the leaders that have afforded me the time to pursue this work. Policing is great, I think we all just want the public to see that.” 

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “I would like to congratulate all our colleagues who have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List for their remarkable achievements. These awards are hugely deserved and very special; I hope that the recipients and their families and loved ones take great pride in them.

“The awards reflect a variety of contributions across different aspects of policing in London and beyond. From preventing and investigating terrorism and knife crime, to leading large-scale ceremonial and sporting events and promoting inclusion and equality across our organisation; this is a snapshot of our exceptional people. I am incredibly impressed and proud of their extraordinary service to the communities of London and beyond.”

 

Full list of all the police officers in England and Wales awarded in this year’s King’s New Year Honours:

 

KING’S POLICE MEDAL (KPM)

• Annabel Sarah Jane Berry. lately Superintendent, Hampshire Constabulary. (Hampshire)
• Jason Richard Davies. Assistant Chief Constable, South Wales Police. (South Wales)
• Ian John Dawson. lately, Assistant Chief Constable, Lancashire Constabulary. (Lancashire)
• Andrew James Duignan. lately Detective Constable, Merseyside Police. (Merseyside)
• Karen Ross Findlay. Temporary Commander, Metropolitan Police Service.
• Christopher James Flanagan. lately Detective Inspector, South Yorkshire Police. (South Yorkshire)
• Matthew William Gosling. Detective Chief Inspector, Metropolitan Police Service.
• Kam Hare. Inspector, Greater Manchester Police. (Greater Manchester)
• Laura Catherine Elizabeth Hart. Special Chief Inspector, Merseyside Police. (Merseyside)
• Natalie Horner. Detective Constable, Durham Constabulary.
• Paul Joseph Martin Keasey. Superintendent, Gloucestershire Constabulary. (Gloucestershire)
• Edward James Ough. lately Superintendent, South Wales Police. (South Wales)
• John Price. Sergeant, West Midlands Police. (West Midlands)
• Hayley Jenny Annette Sewart. Detective Chief Superintendent, Metropolitan Police Service.
• Benjamin Daniel Snuggs. Deputy Chief Constable, Thames Valley Police.
• Amanda Jane Stephenson. Detective Inspector, Metropolitan Police Service.
• Matthew Wesley Ward. Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Service.
• Owen Robert Weatherill. lately, Assistant Chief Constable, Hertfordshire Constabulary and National Policing Coordination Centre. (Hertfordshire)

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

• Martin James Hewitt QPM. Lately Chair, National Police Chiefs Council. For services to Policing. (London, London)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

• Michael Kettle. Explosives Officer, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Bomb Disposal. (Kent)
• Tori Pamela Anne Olphin. Chief Data Scientist and Head of Research, Thames Valley Police. For services to Technology in the Public Sector. (Rochdale, Greater Manchester)

Bar to the Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

• Rasheed Alawiye. Detective Inspector, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Policing, and to Diversity and Inclusion. (London, London)
• Kevin Philip Macey. Head of Major Crime Review, Essex Police. For services to Policing. (Chelmsford, Essex)

 

THE ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER

Lieutenant (LVO)

• Karen Ross Findlay. Commander, Metropolitan Police Service, on the occasion of the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen.

Member (MVO)

• Nicholas John Birch. Sergeant, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Royalty and Specialist Protection.
• Andrew John Cranidge. Superintendent, Thames Valley Police, on the occasion of the Coronation Concert.
• Kevin Malkin. Detective Constable, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Royalty Protection.
• Elizabeth Fiona St Clair. Sergeant, Metropolitan Police Service. For services to Royalty and Specialist Protection.