NCA officers, current and retired, have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours for outstanding work in their respective fields and showing exceptional dedication during the Covid-19 pandemic.
An officer working in the NCA’s Child Sexual Exploitation Referrals Bureau has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for displaying extraordinary commitment to protecting children. She is responsible for reviewing horrific child sexual abuse images, ensuring that children are safeguarded and offenders pursued.
Anthony Larsen has received the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to Operational Law Enforcement. In his current role as the Police Search Advisor and Regional Co-ordinator in the NCA’s Specialist Entry and Evidence Recovery Team, Tony has deployed nationally throughout the pandemic, risking his own safety by leading his teams through multiple frontline deployments.
Laura Higgins, Head of Customer Engagement within the Digital, Data and Technology team, has been awarded the MBE for her services in enabling the agency to maintain critical operational effectiveness during the Covid-19 pandemic. Laura ensured thousands of officers were able to continue to protect the public by enabling remote working.
Desmond Malpass has been awarded the MBE for his services combating serious and organised crime. Des, currently on secondment, has achieved operational successes, forged strong relationships with international partners, delivered UK security objectives and enhanced the UK’s reputation overseas.
Simon Mason, now retired, has been awarded the Queen's Policing Medal for distinguished services to policing. Simon has been recognised for his in-depth knowledge of child safeguarding, which he utilised to support the NCA’s efforts to tackle child sexual abuse, as well as helping overseas law enforcement develop their capability to deal with the threat. Simon also played a vital role in the Agency’s response in the IICSA Inquiry.
Director General of the National Crime Agency, Lynne Owens, congratulated the officers:
“Seeing NCA officers on this Birthday Honours list is a wonderful tribute to both the achievements of these individuals and of the agency’s work. This has been a unique year with Covid 19 affecting everyone’s lives. I am immensely proud of all of our officers in the Agency who embraced their role as key workers, tireless in their efforts to protect the public from serious and organised crime. The officers receiving these awards are rightly recognised for their significant individual contribution. Congratulations!”
9 October 2020
