Police, fire and ambulance workers honoured for dedication to public
Heroes in the emergency services have been recognised in the New Year Honours list for their acts of bravery and dedication to the Scottish public. Police Scotland Superintendent Faroque Hussain, retired chief superintendent Carol McGuire and Police Constable Stephanie Rose all receive the King’s Police Medal.
Investigation and information manager Stuart Cossar is made an MBE for his role in investigations into the Lockerbie bombing, as well as his services to the bereaved families affected. Retired Police Scotland child protection manager James Duffy has been made an MBE for services to children.
Detective Constable Jodie McFarlane receives the British Empire Medal for services to children and families in Ayrshire, and for her work with the charity Night Before Christmas Campaign.
Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “These awards are testament to the dedication to public service and professionalism our officers show right across the country, day in, day out. “I offer my warmest congratulations to Carol, Faroque and Stephanie for this deserved recognition of their significant contribution to policing. “I would also like to recognise the honours awarded to Jodie, James and Stuart for their commitment and compassion serving policing and our communities in Scotland and beyond.”
Retired chief superintendent Carol McGuire said she is ‘genuinely overwhelmed’ by her royal recognition (Police Scotland/PA)
Mr Hussain is the first ethnic minority police officer to progress through the ranks from constable to the post of chief superintendent.
The tactical firearms commander won praise for his adept handling of the response to Operation Unicorn – where he was responsible for all firearms officers involved in the large-scale policing operation put in place following the death of the Queen in September 2022. The 45-year-old said: “I am deeply honoured by this recognition from His Majesty the King. I am profoundly grateful to have worked with countless selfless colleagues and partners from across Scotland, and beyond, who work tirelessly to keep our fellow citizens safe.
“Most of all, I thank my wife and our family for their unwavering support.” Ms McGuire joined Strathclyde Police in 1995 and retired in October this year. During the course of her career she undertook a secondment to the football co-ordination unit Scotland, where she developed the country’s first national strategy for the policing of football.
Ms McGuire, 52, said: “It is fair to say I am genuinely overwhelmed and more than a little surprised to be receiving such a prestigious accolade, however I am extremely proud as well. “I am also enormously grateful to those who have guided and mentored me throughout my career in policing, and the many others whose support has been invaluable. “It was a true privilege to have been a police officer, and to have led and been part of so many tremendous teams, and my thanks go to everyone who has been a part of my story.”
I am hugely honoured to have been awarded the King’s Police Medal
Pc Stephanie Rose
Pc Rose developed the Keep Safe initiative in partnership with I Am Me Scotland, which was piloted in Renfrewshire in 2014 before becoming a national programme in 2015. The initiative creates a network of local businesses to establish Keep Safe places for disabled, vulnerable and elderly people to go if they feel lost, confused, scared or intimidated, or have been the victim of a crime. She said: “I am hugely honoured to have been awarded the King’s Police Medal.”
Members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) are also honoured. Iain Morris, acting director of asset management, and watch commander David Gibson receive the King’s Fire Service Medal. Ambulance care assistant Alistair MacDonald is awarded the King’s Ambulance Service Medal.
Having joined the Scottish Ambulance Service 13 years ago, he has become a leading figure in the bariatric training field.
As well as training staff, he liaises with the NHS and Highland Council with assessments to ensure patients are safe in their homes.
He also oversaw a campaign of defibrillator repairs in the north of Scotland, and throughout the pandemic he was responsible for the rollout of power hoods.