Two senior Police officers from the Leicestershire Constabulary have been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM) in the New Year’s Honours List.
Deputy Chief Constable Simon Edens, and former Temporary Deputy Chief Constable, Steph Morgan are to receive the honour and awarded medals during a ceremony later this year. Former Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police, Matt Baggott will receive a knighthood.
Mr Edens, on being notified of the award said, “I am absolutely delighted and humbled to receive this honour. I do not believe it would have happened were it not for the support I have received throughout a career which has spanned over 33 years so far.
“So I would like to pay tribute to former colleagues in the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, West Mercia Police, as well as the police officers, staff and volunteers in Leicestershire Police.
“I also want to thank all the officers who have worked with me over the past five years in developing the police service’s response to anti-social behaviour through the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
“I have immense pride in being a police officer. I am passionate about the purpose of policing, which is to keep people safe from harm.”
Ms Morgan said, “I’m very proud and honoured to receive the QPM. I was lucky enough to serve in two of the best forces in the country and learnt from some wonderful role models who encouraged me to be the best I could be. The police leaders and colleagues I’ve worked with have put service before self, and communities have always come first. I like to think I’ve learnt from them during the course of my career.”
Simon Cole, Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police said, “I am delighted that the achievements of both Simon and Steph are being recognised with a Queen’s Police Medal.
“Simon has displayed outstanding leadership while at Leicestershire Police and has been the driving force behind not only our change programme but also the introduction of the Code of Ethics.
“On the national stage, he has led pieces of work for Association of Chief Police Officers on anti-social behaviour – a key issue for many local communities and one recently acknowledged by the inspectorate as having seen improvement nationally.
“Throughout her career, Steph has been a powerful advocate for local policing and partnership working and has continued to be so in her current role as an advisor to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
“During her time at Hampshire and here at Leicestershire Police, she led the way in ensuring policing is inclusive of all, particularly in relation to the LGBT communities and it is great to see this acknowledged.
“It is also great to see Matt Baggott’s achievements in policing recognised with a knighthood. Matt’s legacy in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is still evident in our neighbourhood-style policing, for which he has been recognised locally and nationally.”
