Queen's Birthday Honours 2022
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM has been awarded a knighthood as a number of officers and staff were recognised in Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours in the year of her Platinum Jubilee.
Police Constable Stephen Tanner and recently retired Superintendent Irene Ralston have been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal.
Health and Safety Manager James Bertram received a British Empire Medal for services to policing and to the community in Ayrshire.
Sir Iain said: “Our committed and professional officers and staff are the key to the success of Police Scotland and this important recognition is tribute to the effective public service they provide every day, right across the country.
“I pay heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributes to protecting the people of Scotland and offer my warmest congratulations to those recognised today. I am personally, and on behalf of policing in Scotland, deeply honoured and extremely grateful.”
Irene Ralston (58) Midlothian
Irene joined Lothian Borders Police in 1987 and retired in February 2022. Irene has a very broad skill-set developed across a successful career spanning 35 years. During her career, Irene held roles in the CID, Drug Squad, Special Branch, Training Department and Professional Standards, latterly performing the role of Local Area Commander and Support and Service Delivery Superintendent in P (Fife) Division.
Irene has been a champion of diversity and inclusion, establishing programmes of learning and support and leading change to improve the experiences of women in policing.
Irene said: “What a lovely surprise to receive this honour.
“I have recently retired and I cannot think of a better accolade to end my 35 years policing service. I am both honoured and humbled.
“Policing has evolved during my service, in particular the environment for women in policing has positively changed and if I have contributed to that, even in some small way, it would make me incredibly proud.”
Police Constable Stephen Tanner (51) Tiree, the Inner Hebrides
Steph has been based on the Island of Tiree, the most westerly island in the Inner Hebrides, since 2010, having joined Strathclyde Police in 1992. As the officer on the island, Steph is frequently recalled to duty to assist members of the local community and visitors and does so at all times of day and night.
The local community said he sees his role as a pivotal part of the island’s resilience arrangements and that he works with the community and other emergency services to keep them safe and supported. During the pandemic, Steph volunteered to assist the Scottish Air Ambulance Service with their planning to medivac Covid patients from the island if required.
Steph said: “This has come as a great surprise to me and I am truly honoured to have been nominated for this award.
“My time covering the islands of Tiree and Coll has, on occasion, been challenging as a lone officer however I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. This month marks my 30 years' police service and this is a fantastic way to mark that, I appreciate it greatly’.
James Bertram (54) Largs, Ayrshire
James is Police Scotland’s Health and Safety Manager. He has also completed 15 years’ service as a volunteer first responder for the Scottish Ambulance Service based. James leads a Health and Safety team covering all aspects of safety including providing a 24/7 response to operational safety at significant incidents and was heavily involved in the policing challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic.
James said: “I am honoured to have been recognised by Her Majesty the Queen and to be awarded the British Empire Medal in the Birthday Honours list.”
