Merseyside Police staff bestowed award in New Year 2022 Honours List

Merseyside Police is celebrating after two staff members have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year 2022 Honours List for their dedicated service in fighting crime in the region.

Don Elliot and Jon Stewart have both been given a prestigious award for their service to the police.

Special Constable Don Elliott, 66, from Wirral has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for 40 years’ voluntary service with Merseyside Police working across the region, and Forensic Operations Manager Jon Stewart, 54, from Ormskirk has been bestowed the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his pioneering work in Crime Scene Investigations (CSI)for more than 30 years.

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “It is fantastic that two colleagues have been honoured in the Queen’s New Year 2022 Honours list and I am absolutely delighted that both Don and Jon's dedication and significant contribution to policing in Merseyside has been recognised.

“Special Constables such as Don play a key part in ensuring that Merseyside Police delivers an effective service to our communities whilst giving up their own time to support the force and keep people safe, while Jon has played a crucial role in helping to solve investigations which would not otherwise have been  possible without his expertise.

“I would like to congratulate them both for all that they have done and thank them for their outstanding efforts on behalf of the whole of Merseyside Police.”

They will be presented with their medals at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle in the New Year.

AWARD RECIPIENTS 

Don Elliot, 66, from Wirral
Don Elliot has given 40 years’ service to Merseyside Police as a Special Constable.

In his time as a Special, Don has helped keep the public safe at a series of historic events including a visit from the Pope, the abandoned Grand National in 1997, and even a Michael Jackson Concert at Aintree.

The BEM is awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown, and in Don's case for the long term ‘hands-on’ voluntary service he has provided for local communities.

The award highlights the vital role that volunteers play in support of policing, often holding down full time jobs while giving their free time to make communities safer and enhance the effectiveness of policing across England and Wales. 

Special Constables are volunteers who hold the same powers and wear the same uniform as a Regular Constable. They are required to perform a minimum of 16 hours per month and receive regular training to ensure they have the right skills and tools to do the job.

They face the same challenges and work on the frontline of policing alongside their colleagues.

Special Constable Elliot will mark his 40th year as a Special Constable in March 2022, 16 of which were as Special Chief Inspector for the Wirral Area of Merseyside.

He does this position alongside his job as customer advisor at B&Q in the Building/Hardware department where he is also the Peoples Forum rep for his store and 21 others in the North West. 

Don also worked as a Machine Woodworking and Joinery Lecturer at Kirkby College for 35 years during his time as Special Constable. 

He is actively involved with the new Special Constabulary recruitment days and attends local schools and universities in the community at careers events and to give students advice on keeping safe. He also attends initiatives developed by Merseyside Police such as helping serve Christmas Dinners for local community pensioners in the area.

During his 16 years as Special Chief Inspector in Wirral he helped around 80 specials join the regular force in Merseyside and other forces. 

Special Constable Don Elliot said: “It was an absolute honour and privilege to be nominated for this prestigious award. To be given this accolade for something that I love, get so much out of and I am passionate about is an unbelievable experience. 

“I have had many memorable duties including the Pope’s visit to Liverpool in 1982, the Aintree Grand National that was evacuated in 1997, the Michael Jackson concert at Aintree in 1988 and on a sad note the funeral of my ex Special Constable PC Dave Philips in 2015.

“I would like to dedicate this award to all the Special and Regular colleagues who patrol the streets of Merseyside 24/7, 365 days a year keeping our communities safe.”

You can apply to become a Special Constable. To find out more about the volunteering opportunities within Merseyside Police, follow this link: Special Constables | Merseyside Police.

Jon Stewart, 54, from Ormskirk
Jon has a career spanning more than 30 years working with Merseyside Police which began in 1986 as a clerk in the Marsh Lane Admin office.

After two years he left the Force to join the Army and served in the Royal Military Police, mainly in Germany and was deployed to the middle east during the first Gulf War. 

He left the Army in 1992 and attended Harperley Hall CSI training college in Durham as a private student. He initially started his CSI career in Bedfordshire. After several months and missing home, he was able to re-join Merseyside Police as a CSI. 

After 18 months he was promoted to Senior CSI working predominantly in Liverpool North and Sefton.

From 2005 – 2013 he was employed as the Forensic Coordinator supporting Major/Serious and Organised Crime. 

From 2013 to date he heads the CSI department as Forensic Operations Manager.

Speaking about the award he said: “It is has been an absolute honour and a privilege to work for Merseyside Police, it is a great organisation and to receive this recognition for my contribution over the years is truly humbling.  

“I love working at Merseyside Police, it is a great place to work, I have enjoyed my 30 years’ service  helping to support the service we provide to our communities across Merseyside.. 

“I wish to thank all my colleagues I have had the privilege to work with, my family and my old English teacher from Ormskirk Cross Hall High School, without their combined support over the years I would not be in this position today.”