A RETIRED Detective Superintendent, who spent part of his career working in Teignbridge, has been awarded the King’s Policing Medal in the New Year’s Honours list.

Mike West was given the honour, which is awarded to members of the police service for a specially distinguished record in policing, in recognition of his hard work and dedication over a 30-year career.

Mike joined Devon and Cornwall Police in 1994 beginning his career in Torquay, where he received the 1995 Police Probationer of the year award, before undertaking roles in the force’s Public Protection Unit and Serious and Organised Crime Branch.

The majority of his service was spent within the Major Crime Investigation Teams, where he led overt investigations and covert operations linked to homicides, kidnaps and extortions, serious sexual offences and Counter Terrorism Act offences.

He recently retired as Detective Superintendent and head of the force’s Major Crime Branch.

Chief Constable James Vaughan said: ‘I am delighted Mike has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours list. He has enjoyed a long and distinguished career and successfully led some of the most complex, high profile and high-risk major crimes for over two decades.’

Mike said: ‘I am truly honoured and humbled to be recognised in the King’s New Years Honours List.

‘It has been a privilege to have worked alongside the dedicated and professional officers and staff I have met and to witness at first hand the quality of care, compassion and expertise they seek to deliver to victims, families and communities affected by major crimes and tragic events.

‘The counsel and support I have received from colleagues, friends and particularly from my family, who have been so understanding when I have worked away from home for days, weeks and sometimes months, have made my policing career an incredibly varied and rewarding experience, and I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to them.’