HIS Royal Highness King Charles III has recognised two members of Essex Police in his Birthday Honours lists. 

• PC Steve Judd, Volunteer Police Cadet Leader, has been awarded an BEM in the 2023 Birthday Honours’ list 

• Dr Victoria Harrington, former Director of Strategic Change & Analytics, has been awarded an MBE in the 2023 Birthday Honours’ list 

PC Judd was recognised for his volunteering work to establish a brand-new Volunteer Police Cadet unit for the Castle Point & Rochford area in May 2017.  

He started the Castle Point & Rochford unit with 35 cadets and found eight other leaders who all volunteered their services to work with the young people. This was a significant operation to set up, ensuring all safeguarding and risk assessments were in place, as well as all leaders being DBS checked. 

Steve has given in excess of 2,000 hours and been fully dedicated to the welfare and development of the young people; this is on top of his busy role as a police officer. 

He took it upon himself to research and plan trips to Belgium to the World War One and Two battlefield tours to educate and raise awareness amongst the cadets of the sacrifices the British and world soldiers made for world freedom. 

During those trips, the cadets were given the honour of taking part in parades at the Menin Gate Ceremony, in Ypres, where they laid wreaths. This is the first time Essex Police cadets had ever taken part in this ceremony. 

To date the Castle Point & Rochford Cadets are the largest unit in Essex Police and they have attended more than 50 local community events and raised more than £4,000 for charities.   

This would not have happened without the voluntary hard work and dedication of Steve who has driven both cadet leaders and cadets to achieve the results the young people are now able to channel back into the community. 

Dr Victoria Harrington was recognised for being an inspirational leader, leading and motivating those around her to improve service to the public and victims of crime.  

Now retired, while working as Assistant Chief Officer in Essex Police, Dr Harrington embedded data science and analytics into evidenced-based policing which led to the use of ‘big data’ in innovative projects informing the public sector to protect vulnerable people, improve life chances for children, reducing violent crime through the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Strategy.  

Prior to joining Essex Police, Dr Harrington was Principal Researcher in the Research, Development and Statistics Directorate of the Home Office, where she conducted and published primary research on crime and policing.

In leading the first full review of Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) in the UK, her published work was crucial to the development of the PCSO role in England and Wales. Setting out to reduce crime using the British Crime Survey as the measure, she argued the proposed method would not work at a local level and led on the development and trial of the first local crime and victimisation survey. 

As principal architect of HMIC’s new approach to inspecting and assessing forces via the police, effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL) assessment, she had responsibility for developing and directing this new approach to the inspection and assessment of all police forces in England and Wales. This was the first holistic assessment implemented for police forces, empowering the public to judge the performance of their force.

Dr Harrington’s work was used to inform the work of the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Association of Police & Crime Commissioners Council on national demand. This directly supported the case to the Treasury for investment in policing and guiding policing investment in Essex. As a female senior member of police staff, she was an inspiration at all levels in policing.  

Chief Constable BJ Harrington said: “Congratulations to Dr Victoria Harrington and PC Steve Judd for this prestigious national recognition. Their awards are so well deserved and demonstrates the calibre of Essex and people in Essex. 

“It’s really rewarding to see that both a police staff member and an officer are recognised as both police staff and officers play such a vital role in keeping this county safe. 

“Our team go above and beyond every day, and we’re so proud to congratulate and celebrate all colleagues from Essex Police who have been recognised in Honours’ Lists for their outstanding commitment to serving our historic county.” 

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British Transport Police

ACC Sean O’Callaghan – OBE

Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan has been recognised with an OBE – something he said was an “honour” after leaving school at the age of 15 and starting his career as a Special Constable 32 years ago.

Sean was recognised for his services to policing, with his citation stating he’s an “inspirational police leader who consistently delivers beyond what is expected.”

Sean joined BTP in 2018, having started out as a Special Constable with Essex Police in 1991 and serving 25 years – including as Divisional Commander for West Essex and lead for Learning and Development for Essex and Kent.

At BTP, he leads the specialist capabilities portfolio, which has seen him lead BTP’s operations for Covid-19, G7, Commonwealth Games, Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Operation London Bridge and the King’s Coronation. He has also taken on the role of Corporate Witness for BTP in the Manchester Arena Inquiry and has led changes made within the force following the attack.

He said: “The day the letter arrived I was on leave working in my drama group workshop, building a throne of all things for our next production.

“My wife sent me a WhatsApp with a photo of the official looking envelope. When I got home that evening, our anticipation was held as I wanted to first hear about my wife’s earlier successful job interview before opening my letter.

“I read the letter and had tears in my eyes. I had left school in Ireland aged 15, my first job in the UK was sweeping up sawdust from a furniture factory floor.

“I could never have imagined the amazing policing career I have experienced so far and I am humbled that my duty to public service was receiving such an acknowledgement. 

“Without doubt my proudest experience has been to lead BTP’s women and men through our contribution to Operation London Bridge and I am honoured to receive this award with such direct recognition.

“My own commitment to policing would not have been possible without the support and understanding of my wife and family to whom I am so grateful. Equally this award recognises services as a police leader, however, my gratitude remains with all the officers and staff, across the three forces I have worked in, who come to work every day to try and keep communities safe.”

Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi said: “It is a privilege to work alongside Sean and see the commitment, expertise and dedication he brings to BTP every single day.

“Congratulations to him on this thoroughly well-deserved honour.”