Honouring those who make London safer every day

Ten serving and former Met officers and staff have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026.

These honours celebrate outstanding service, leadership and dedication across a wide range of roles and ranks – from neighbourhood teams and specialist investigations to forensic science and major operations.

This year’s recipients have made a significant impact in protecting Londoners, supporting victims and strengthening public trust.

Whether tackling serious crime, safeguarding vulnerable people, advancing specialist capabilities or supporting colleagues, each individual demonstrates the very best of the Met’s values.

Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley said:

“I am proud to see our extraordinary officers and staff recognised for their public service, hard work and courage in The King’s Birthday Honours List. These prestigious awards highlight the breadth of work we do in the Met and the huge impact policing has on everyday life across London and beyond.

“I am pleased to see a wide range of ranks acknowledged. From building trust and confidence within communities, to dismantling serious and organised crime gangs, responding to complex public order challenges, and protecting national and international figures, this is policing at its very best.

“Behind every award is a story of professionalism, resilience and determination, whether that is responding to incidents on the frontline, conducting complex investigations, supporting victims, or working in critical support roles.

“Moments like these reinforce what I often say: it is a privilege to lead an organisation where people step forward every day, never knowing what the next incident or investigation may bring, but serving Londoners with care, compassion and courage.”

The recipients are:

Officer of the Order of the British Empire

Dean Ames OBE

Forensic Drugs Operations Manager – MO4 Forensic Services

Dean has provided outstanding service as a forensic consultant in drugs and toxicology, with a career spanning nearly four decades. His expertise has been instrumental in strengthening forensic science within policing, influencing national policy and improving how law enforcement responds to emerging drug threats. His work reflects a deep commitment to professionalism, innovation and public safety.

He has played a leading role in tackling critical issues such as drug spiking and the rise of synthetic opioids, developing reliable testing methods and providing scientific insight that has informed national guidance and operational responses. His contributions have enabled policing to respond more effectively to emerging threats, supporting investigations, protecting victims and ultimately saving lives through improved forensic capability and accuracy.

Dean’s leadership has also strengthened collaboration across policing, government and academia, helping to modernise forensic practices and build resilience across the criminal justice system. His dedication, integrity and innovation leave a lasting legacy that enhances both public confidence and operational effectiveness.

Dean said: "I was very surprised but very pleased to receive my OBE. I have been a forensic scientist for 40 years and never anticipated such recognition.

“The illicit drugs market in London and the UK continues to evolve and is the most complex and perhaps dangerous within Europe. I see my role today is to assist in addressing these challenges, raise awareness and protect the public from harm”.

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Brian Whitaker MBE

MO3 Covert Policing

Brian has significantly advanced covert policing capabilities for the Met and other UK law enforcement agencies in his role as Head of Engineering in the Technical Surveillance Unit. Leading the engineering function of the Technical Surveillance Unit, he has overseen the development of innovative solutions that enhance the ability of law enforcement to disrupt serious and organised crime, protecting communities across London and beyond.

His leadership has enabled complex investigations to succeed, supporting the identification and conviction of dangerous offenders, including those linked to serious crime and terrorism. Through national collaboration and technical innovation, he has strengthened policing capability, ensuring officers have the tools and intelligence required to keep the public safe.

Brian has also invested in developing future talent and professional standards, creating pathways for young people and raising the professionalism of technical surveillance across the UK. His professionalism, commitment to excellence and dedication to public protection embody the Met’s values, delivering lasting benefits for policing and the safety of Londoners.

Brian said: “I feel truly humbled to be recognised with this honour for the adventure that four decades in the Met has given me. Incredible colleagues far and wide have mentored, supported and persevered with me. It’s with their strengths that I have been able to develop laser focused technical surveillance solutions.”

British Empire Medal (BEM)

Retired PC Anne Elizabeth Hook BEM

Business Continuity and Emergency Preparedness – Met Operations

Anne made an exceptional contribution to policing through her work improving support for officers and staff affected by alcohol dependency. Alongside her policing role, she demonstrated extraordinary compassion and leadership, using her own lived experience to support colleagues and strengthen wellbeing across the organisation.

She founded the Blue Light Alcohol Support Team, a pioneering peer‑led support network created specifically for people working in policing. Through this initiative, she provided direct, confidential support to officers and staff, creating a safe environment for recovery and driving cultural change to reduce stigma and encourage openness. Her work has directly contributed to saving lives and improving wellbeing.

Anne’s influence extended beyond individual support, helping shape policy and develop structured pathways for recovery within the Met. Her commitment to care, integrity and service ensures that those who protect Londoners are themselves supported – strengthening the organisation and, ultimately, the service delivered to the public.

Anne Elizabeth Hook said: “I was delighted, and genuinely surprised, to be informed that I had been awarded a BEM in recognition of my work supporting those affected by alcohol addiction.

“This award provides a wonderful opportunity to highlight the invaluable work that BLAST (Blue Light Alcohol Support Team) continues to do in supporting police officers and police staff.

I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this recognition, which reflects the dedication of everyone involved in delivering support to those who need it most.”

King’s Police Medal

Detective Sergeant Emma Rickard-Watkins KPM

Cold Case Homicide – Central Specialist Crime

Emma has dedicated more than 20 years to policing, specialising in tackling modern slavery and human trafficking. Her career has focused on safeguarding some of the most vulnerable victims, demonstrating exceptional commitment and expertise in protecting those at risk of exploitation.

Through partnership working with international agencies, charities and government bodies, she has helped rescue victims, disrupt organised crime groups and strengthen the response to human trafficking. Her work embedding victim‑focused approaches into investigations has improved outcomes for survivors and ensured offenders are brought to justice.

Emma’s compassion, professionalism and dedication to safeguarding have had a lasting impact, supporting hundreds of victims and improving systems across policing. Her care, integrity and service protects vulnerable people and strengthen confidence in policing.

Emma Rickard-Watkins said: “I am truly delighted and honoured to have received this appointment. It has been a tremendous privilege to work in this field for such a long time.

I will always feel very passionate about working with partners to protect victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.”

Inspector Mohammed Uddin KPM

Neighbourhoods – Central East Basic Command Unit

Mohammed is an exceptional policing leader who has shown unwavering commitment to neighbourhood policing and community engagement. Serving for nearly 10 years within the Homerton team, he has demonstrated strong leadership in tackling crime while building trust with local communities, embodying the Met’s values through his dedication to fairness, inclusion and public service.

He has led targeted operations against organised crime, including tackling robbery, vehicle theft and shoplifting, using innovative approaches and partnership working to identify offenders and reunite victims with their property. His proactive policing initiatives and relentless focus on problem-solving have significantly reduced crime and improved safety for residents, helping ensure that communities feel protected.

Beyond enforcement, Mohammed has strengthened trust and confidence through meaningful community engagement, particularly across diverse communities in Hackney and Tower Hamlets. His work developing policing plans around key cultural events and engaging directly with community leaders has ensured policing is both effective and respectful.

Mohammed Uddin said: “I am honoured to receive this prestigious King’s Policing Medal. Throughout my 22 years in policing, I have strived every day to make a positive difference to the communities I serve and to support the colleagues, who alongside I have had the privilege to work with.

“While I gratefully accept this recognition, I do so on behalf of the many dedicated and hardworking officers who have worked with me every day to serve the people of London. This award reflects their commitment, professionalism, and shared dedication as much as it does my own.”

Detective Chief Inspector Yasmin Lalani KPM

Public Protection – Central East Basic Command Unit

Yasmin has served with the Met for more than 30 years, building a distinguished career focused on public protection and safeguarding. She has led efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, delivering exceptional results and demonstrating an unwavering commitment to victims.

Her leadership has driven significant improvements in outcomes for domestic abuse and serious sexual offences, achieving some of the highest performance levels in the Met. Through initiatives such as targeted operational activity and partnership working, she has ensured more offenders are brought to justice and more victims receive the support they need.

Yasmin is also deeply committed to wellbeing and team support, fostering a culture where colleagues feel valued and supported. Her passion, care and relentless focus on safeguarding ensure communities are better protected and victims are placed at the heart of policing.

Yasmin Lalani said: “I am deeply humbled to receive the King’s Police Medal and sincerely appreciate this recognition. Serving in the Metropolitan Police Service is a privilege that carries significant responsibility, and I accept this honour on behalf of the officers and staff whose dedication makes a meaningful difference to people’s lives every day.

“Public Protection teams tackle some of the toughest and most sensitive crimes across London – cases where lives are changed forever, and where policing must consistently balance determination with compassion.

“Much of this work is carried out away from public view, yet it is vital to keeping communities safe. This recognition strengthens my resolve to support the officers who step into the hardest moments so that others can be safe.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn KPM

South Area Basic Command Unit

Nick has built a distinguished career across multiple specialist units earning a reputation as a highly respected and trusted senior leader. As a leader within serious crime, including the Flying Squad and later Homicide and Trident, he has consistently demonstrated dedication to protecting Londoners and supporting colleagues, becoming an inspirational role model known for his professionalism, integrity and availability to others.

Throughout his career, Nick has led complex and high impact operations tackling violent robbery, gun crime and organised criminality. His innovative and data‑driven approach has contributed to significant reductions in serious crime, including lowering lethal firearms discharges to a five‑year low and improving detection rates for commercial robbery. He has worked closely with national and international partners, using emerging technology and intelligence sharing to disrupt criminal networks and bring offenders to justice.

Nick’s leadership has also been pivotal in some of the Met’s most sensitive investigations, including leading the investigation into the murder of Police Sergeant Matt Ratana, delivering justice while supporting the family with compassion and professionalism. His commitment to public safety, his drive to innovate, and his dedication to victims exemplify the Met’s values of integrity, courage and service – ensuring safer communities across London.

Nick Blackburn said: “I am truly privileged to receive the King’s Police Medal, but I must take this opportunity to thank all of the outstanding colleagues that I have worked with over the last 27 Years. This is their Medal as much as it is mine. I would also like to thank my family, who have supported me throughout”

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor KPM

Specialist Operations

Laurence is a highly experienced and respected senior leader who has delivered significant impact across both the Met and national policing. With a background spanning Specialist Operations, Frontline Policing and Professionalism, he has consistently demonstrated strong leadership in some of the most complex and high-pressure environments.

He has led major operations and national policing responses, including support to international events, counterterrorism coordination and the policing of large-scale protests. His work has strengthened operational readiness, improved collaboration and ensured effective responses to emerging threats, directly contributing to the safety and security of London and the UK.

He has driven improvements in standards, accountability and organisational integrity, helping rebuild public trust. His leadership demonstrates the Met’s commitment to high standards, transparency and continuous improvement, ensuring that policing remains effective, fair and focused on protecting Londoners.

Laurence Taylor said: “It is an enormous honour to be recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. I have been privileged to be able to lead some amazing teams of people, and work with incredible partners, throughout my career and without whom this achievement would have been impossible.

“I am sincerely grateful to all the staff and officers that have worked with me – their support and dedication have been outstanding.”

Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO)

PC Darren Randall MVO

Royalty and Specialist Protection

Darren has given more than 30 years of dedicated service to policing, including two decades within Royalty and Specialist Protection. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional commitment, professionalism and expertise, becoming a trusted and highly respected member of his team.

His work supporting national events and protecting key sites has been critical to ensuring safety and security at high‑profile occasions, including Royal events, state visits and major national operations. His ability to respond calmly and decisively in challenging situations, including incidents with potential security risks, has directly contributed to protecting the public and national infrastructure.

Darren has also shared his expertise by training colleagues and supporting staff wellbeing, demonstrating leadership beyond his role. His dedication, resilience and pride in service reflect the highest standards of the Met, ensuring that Londoners and those visiting the capital remain safe and secure.

Darren Randall said: “I am humbled and honoured to receive this recognition. After more than 31 years with the Metropolitan Police, I have been fortunate to work with exceptional colleagues whose support and professionalism have shaped my career.

“I am also incredibly grateful to my family, especially my wife Joanne, whose love and support have been with me every step of the way, and to my mum, who has always been immensely proud of my service.”

Retired Inspector Jag Khangura MVO

Royalty & Specialist Protection

Jag has delivered more than 30 years of exceptional service in policing, including over two decades within Royalty and Specialist Protection. His work supporting the Royal Household has been of the highest standard, demonstrating professionalism, discretion and a deep commitment to public safety.

He has played a critical role in planning and delivering security for major national events, including the Coronation of His Majesty The King and the funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. His leadership in these complex operations ensured the safety and security of those involved, while maintaining public confidence during events of national significance.

Jag’s dedication to operational excellence, collaboration and developing others has strengthened specialist policing capabilities.

Jag Khangura said: “It's been a privilege to serve and represent my colleagues and my community in role. I leave with the happiest of memories and the utmost respect for all those that serve and sacrifice for King and country."