A POLICE officer has been recognised for his services to the force in the Queen's New Year's honours list.

Chief constable Martin Jelley, of Warwickshire Police, the force responsible for policing the Alcester area, has been awarded the Queen's Police Medal (QPM), an honour given to officers for gallantry or distinguished service.

On receiving the QPM, Mr Jelley said: "I feel hugely humbled and honoured to have been nominated and selected to receive the Queen's Police Medal.

"I am fortunate to lead a dedicated and committed workforce, so this award coming on top of that feels very special."

Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Ball said: "I am absolutely delighted, but not entirely surprised to hear that Martin Jelley has been awarded the Queen's Police Medal.

"Martin is an extremely impressive individual who has effortlessly picked up the reins as Chief Constable for Warwickshire from day one.

"Clearly this award is in recognition for work that preceded his arrival in Warwickshire, but this reinforces my view, if any reinforcing was necessary, that we have an exceptional individual to lead Warwickshire Police in the years ahead."

Mr Jelley, who is married with two children, joined the police force in Norfolk in 1988, and became the new Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police in April last year.