13/06/2005

PSNI Chief Constable receives knighthood

PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde has received a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Commenting on his award, Mr Orde, who took up his post as Chief Constable in September 2002, has been a police officer for 28 years, said: “I see this as an honour not just for myself but for the whole of the Police Service.

"I believe it is a recognition of the changes which have taken place in policing in Northern Ireland, building on the foundations of the past but also looking with enthusiasm and optimism to the future.”

Six other serving and former members of the Police Service were also honoured in the List including deputy chief constable Paul Leighton who was awarded the Queen's Police Medal.

Chief Superintendent Julie Lindsay-White, who heads the Service's Internal Investigation Branch, gets the MBE while retired officer ex-Detective Chief Inspector William McAuley, of the Child Abuse and Rape Enquiry team, gets an MBE for services to child protection.

In all, there were 54 recipients from across Northern Ireland in the Honours List.

View the full list here.

(MB/SP)

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