A Richmond woman has been recognised in the New Year Honours List for her work as a Met Police volunteer.
Carole Atkinson received an MBE for her 23 years’ service in a number of roles with the police including chairing a variety of community police liaison groups and also working with St John’s Ambulance.
She is one of ten MPS members, along with the likes of acting grandees John Hurt, Joan Collins, WW1 ceramic poppy display creators Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, who have been honoured in this year’s list.
Mrs Atkinson said: “I am delighted and very proud to receive this honour in recognition of my contribution to police and community engagement.
“I regard it as acknowledgement of the excellent partnership we have forged between police, council and community in the borough of Richmond upon Thames.
“I would like to thank all the members of the former Community Police Partnership and the current Safer Neighbourhood Board, the members of the borough Stop and Search Monitoring Group and all Neighbourhood Watch coordinators and Ward Panel Chairmen for their valuable contribution in keeping our borough safe and as crime free as possible.
“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with them as colleagues and friends.
“In addition I would like to thank my husband for his unending support and understanding which allows me to continue this work.”
Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick, QPM, has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to policing.
She undertook Command roles in the Met’s response to 9/11, the Tsunami, after the 2005 bombings and many other major incidents in London and overseas.
She has led many of the Met’s highest profile and most complex crime investigations, such as Stephen Lawrence, phone hacking, Parliamentary expenses and Official Secrets Act enquires.
AC Dick is leaving the MPS in January to take up a role in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Former Detective Inspector Kevin Hyland who retired from the MPS earlier this year and was appointed by the Home Secretary as the UK’s first Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner receives an OBE for his work leading the Met’s response to human trafficking.
Special Constable Paul Harrison from Alperton Traffic Unit is a qualified response motorcycle officer.
He has been in the MSC for 26 years and also volunteers with St John’s Ambulance where he helped set up the paediatric retrieval service and motorcycle response unit, now he serves within the Driver Training team.
Paul Harrison said: “I am delighted and proud to receive this honour in recognition of my contribution to the people of London, through my volunteer service with the Metropolitan Police Service and St John Ambulance.
“I regard it as an award for all my volunteer colleagues who give up their time to help others, often carrying out a difficult job under arduous conditions.
“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with them, and count them as friends. Their dedication, skill and help has been an inspiration to me over the years.
“I would also like to thank my family for their support and understanding during my regular absences from home.”
British Empire Medals (BEM) were awarded to two more dedicated volunteers – Elizabeth Virgo who devotes much of her free time to assisting police and other agencies in Westminster to promote a strong community spirit and Special Constable John Ayers from Walthamstow who receives his award for enduring services to community policing.
Commander Peter Terry SC&O12 and retired Detective Chief Superintendent Steven Kershaw were each awarded Queen’s Policing Medals.
Commander Terry said: “I have had the privilege of working with some fantastic teams in the Metropolitan Police Service and I find it humbling to be singled out for this honour.
“All I can say is that it’s a reflection of all the people I have worked with.”
Inspector Terence Leach from SO14 and retired Inspector Clive Cox were each awarded MVO’s (Member of the Royal Victorian Order).
Picture courtesy of Michael Garnett, with thanks
