New Year Honours: Hampshire superintendent receives King's Police Medal

Annabel Berry said the honour was a "lovely surprise and I didn't expect it in my wildest dreams"

A former superintendent is to receive the King's Police Medal in the New Year's Honours List.

Annabel Berry was based at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and retired from the force in August.

She said the honour was a "lovely surprise and I didn't expect it in my wildest dreams".

The King's Police Medal is awarded to members of the police service for a "specially distinguished record... of conspicuous merit".

Her nomination noted her "exceptional passion and commitment to developing others, with hundreds of women in UK policing and beyond who can testify that Annabel has inspired them to achieve things which they never thought possible".

Ms Berry, 50, from Andover, joined the constabulary in 1995 as a police constable.

She rose up through the ranks to be Hart & Rushmoor's Chief Inspector and District Commander, and later Superintendent in 2016.

She became lead trainer of the College of Policing's Aspire Leadership Development Programme, which was specially developed to help officers and staff from under-represented groups better progress in the force.

'Exceptional ambassador'

Ms Berry said: "I always wanted to join the police - it's easy to do something that you love and I love seeing people flourish and succeed."

She added: "I have enormous gratitude to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and the College of Policing for giving me the opportunity to work nationally doing something I am so passionate about, and that I have found so incredibly fulfilling.

"I cannot thank my wife Tina enough for her un-dwindling support, patience and love throughout my career."

Chief Constable Scott Chilton described Ms Berry as an "exceptional ambassador for women in policing by coaching, mentoring and inspiring hundreds of female officers and staff, and her work nationally in driving change in this area has resulted in so many people reaching their full potential".

Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, said her "expertise and knowledge" had been "invaluable".

"Bel has been inspirational and had a significant impact on the careers of many senior leaders," he said.

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