Top cop who led Cornwall's G7 policing operation among those honoured by the Queen

Her Majesty's Birthday Honours list has been published!

Author: Megan Price and Emma HartPublished 2nd Jun 2022
Last updated 2nd Jun 2022

Six people across Cornwall have been recognised for their hard work and dedication to local communities in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Published on the monarch's official birthday, the list marks the start of the Platinum Jubilee to celebrate her 70 year reign.

The awards are to commemorate the public service and achievements of people across the country.

The list names people who are delivering exceptional public services and leading reform, volunteers and individuals who've gone above and beyond, and those helping to build a more united and integrated county.

They recognise achievements from 1,134 people across the country, including famous faces such as a Knighthood for NHS England's Professor Stephen Powis and Northern Ireland's former first minister, Arlene Foster, who has been made a Dame.

Homeland star Damian Lewis, sports broadcaster Claire Balding and fashion designer Stella McCartney have all been made CBEs.

Cornwall's Birthday Honours

Queen's Police Medal:

Glen Mayhew, Assistant Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police: ACC Mayhew has been recognised for his distinguished service and leadership of the G7 Summit in Cornwall.

The citation read: "His leadership and masterful planning of the G7 Summit in Carbis Bay in June 2021, as Gold Commander, was the culmination of his outstanding diplomatic and operational policing skills".

It continues by praising his "outstanding thoughtfulness and presence", stating: "He coordinated activities across Local Government, Blue Light partners and policing. He drew together multiple partners, including military and security services, to ensure total coverage and safety for all principles and communities.

"Operating at extremes, within collapsing timescales due to delayed announcements, was a testament to his personal resilience.

"In a day he would speak with school children and the most senior officials in Government, ensuring a global summit with the tone and tenor of a public holiday, to the benefit of the Summit and Cornwall itself.

"He designed or drove national firsts including, 3D mapping with OS to enable Commanders to plan and work remotely, investments in situational awareness technologies including drones and shaped Maritime legislation through Government to protect harbours.

"He enhanced best practice embedding an Engagement Hub to communicate in person and through webinars, with communities and protest groups and oversaw the deployment of all police forces in the UK in one county".

The citation adds: "In 2020, during COVID, as SCG Chair and police ‘Gold Commander’ for the region, he led across agencies and stakeholders co-ordinating the complex, multi-agency response.

"As Chair of the LRF he led others through moral, legal and logistical uncertainty. Nationally, as NPCC lead for Search and Rescue, he actively supported DFT in revising their policy responsibilities for maritime and civil aeronautical search and rescue.

"As a senior hostage negotiator, for over 20 years, he personally led and drove national policy, procedure and training for call handlers receiving suicidal calls in Ambulance Service and Police Control Rooms.

"His passion and perseverance for suicide prevention continues and has saved countless lives across the UK. Voluntary and charitable services: He has 20 years’ service as a volunteer coastguard rescue officer.

"He is an active member and Chairman of his local surf lifesaving team, supporting young people and is a trustee on the National Surf Life Saving Great Britain Board".

OBEs (Officers of the Order of the British Empire):

David Anthony Harris from Truro: Recognised for his political and public service.

Gillian Ann Holmes, Deputy Director, Department for Work and Pensions, from St Ives: Recognised for services to public service.

Jonathan Winston Sparkes from St Austell: Recognised for services to homeless people.

MBEs (Members of the Order of the British Empire):

Paul Charles Crossman, Lead Staff Officer, Headquarters Regional Command, Combined Cadet Force, from St Austell: Recognised for services to young people.

Sara Griffiths from Truro: Recognised for services to education.

Sara has been recognised for giving over 30 years’ service to improving school attendance.

The citation reads: "She has responded positively to the changes in the education landscape and has adapted her approach to ever changing needs of children by developing procedures to support pupils with severe mental ill health and for children who disappear from school rolls completely.

"One school she has recently worked with in Middlesbrough went from the second worst attendance nationally (with 41% of pupils missing a day or more a week) to above the national average in four years.

"During her role as Educational Welfare Manager in Cornwall the percentage of persistent absentees reduced across all school types.

It adds that Sara, who had led the National Association of Support Workers in Education, for 15 years, is "always can-do and goes the extra mile by giving freely of her time to support attendance professionals across the country".

Prime Minister's Honours' Statement

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "This historic Platinum Jubilee is not only a celebration of the monarch but of the qualities she possesses.

"The honours she confers this week reflect many of those qualities that have been invaluable from all different walks of life and to communities across the UK.

"I pay tribute to all of this year’s winners. Their stories of courage and compassion are an inspiration to us all".

In tribute to The Queen on her Platinum Jubilee, recipients of the awards this year have been recognised for their outstanding contributions across all sectors, in particular for sustained public service, the environment and sustainability, and youth engagement.

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