Humberside chief awarded King’s Police Medal in New Year Honours List

HONOURED: Humberside Police Chief Constable Lee Freeman

By Rick Lyon

Humberside Police Chief Constable Lee Freeman has been awarded the King’s Police Medal for services to policing in the New Year Honours List 2023.

During his five-and-a-half-year tenure as chief, Humberside has been transformed from being in “special measures” to being graded as the top performing force in the country.

This year, it was independently recognised as “outstanding” by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary & Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) across several areas of inspection.

It is the strongest set of inspection results awarded to any of the 43 forces in England and Wales.

Mr Freeman, who was born and raised in Grimsby, said: “I am delighted to be included in the New Year Honours List for 2023 , knowing that this recognition is a direct reflection of the support, dedication and hard work of all my colleagues who serve with me in Humberside Police.

‘DELIGHTED’: Lee Freeman has thanked his colleagues at Humberside Police

“I thank them for their continued support.”

Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison said: “I’d like to congratulate Chief Constable Freeman on this award. It is great recognition of his leadership of Humberside Police during an unprecedented journey of improvement since he took over the force.

“I have known Lee for many years, first in my role as Chair of the Humberside Police and Crime Panel and, more recently, as Police and Crime Commissioner. He has always impressed me with his determination to strive for outstanding performance and maintain close relationships with all employees of the force, which has led to one of the highest morale surveys conducted by the Police Federation and the recent outstanding review by His Majesty’s Inspectorate.

“Lee has created a tangible ‘Humberside factor’ in policing, where the force is now recognised as an exemplar in many areas and other police forces across the country look to us for good practice.

“Raised in Grimsby, Lee has a strong sense of what is needed in our area to serve and protect the public and, despite the improvements in recent years under his leadership, he is always seeking the next level of achievement.”