Sussex police and crime commissioner Katy Bourne has been made an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for public and political service.
Mrs Bourne, 54, was described as inspiring, by Brighton anti-stalking campaigner Claudia Ortiz, who said that her leadership was saving lives.
The police and crime commissioner has spoken out about her personal experience of stalking and harassment and has called on police forces to improve their support for victims.
The Conservative politician, who was educated in Brighton, said that her award was a “testament to the hard work of the team in my office who support me”.
Mrs Bourne added: “I would like to thank them and also every single police officer, PCSO and police staff member in Sussex for working so tirelessly to keep us all safe.”
She won the first PCC elections in 2012, she was re-elected with a bigger majority four years later and she has been picked by her party to try for a third term of office.
Mrs Bourne said: “I am very honoured to have been nominated and to have been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list.
“This is a tremendous endorsement of the role of police and crime commissioners and testament to the hard work of the team in my office who support me.
“I would like to thank them and also every single police officer, PCSO and police staff member in Sussex for working so tirelessly to keep us all safe.”
Chief Constable Giles York said: “Katy Bourne has been a consistent force for good since first being elected as the PCC for Sussex.
“She has always been a voice of challenge and support for the force and championing the needs of the public and those who struggle to have their voice heard.
“On behalf of all of us at Sussex Police we offer our congratulations on such well-earned recognition in being awarded an OBE.”
Claudia Ortiz, director of Brighton-based specialist stalking service Veritas Justice, said: “We would like to congratulate Katy on receiving this very well-deserved recognition.
“She has shown immense commitment and dedication to improving outcomes for victims of stalking and has shared her own experiences publicly.
“Her tireless work raising awareness of this devastating crime has inspired us locally and many others nationally to come together and create the changes that are so desperately needed by some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“Her unwavering support and passion have driven the stalking agenda in almost every national platform and her work in support of victims of stalking is most definitely saving lives and is testament to her ingenuity, creativity, and above all leadership in public service.”
Former Sussex lawyer, Paul Greenwood, was a district attorney in San Diego and one of America’s leading prosecutors of elder abuse.
He said: “I am delighted that Katy Bourne has been recognised for her innovative approach to raising awareness in Sussex about the ever-growing crime of financial exploitation that targets our elder and vulnerable adult population.
“Education and community involvement with the police are essential in the fight to hold perpetrators accountable and so it is gratifying that Mrs Bourne’s leadership in this area has been duly noted.”
Farcical it is alright having new policies and websites that state all of the wonderful things you are doing and going to do but if you don’t actually follow through and achieve any of them whats the point.
Abuse of the elderly supposed campaign? For that to work you have to prosecute people. Over 40% of Sussex Police fraud cases are dropped even though the evidence is there. Radio 4 Moneybox JUNE 1st reports of yet another failing with evidence of Sussex Police to prosecute.
Try earning awards by achievements. No one has become famous (hhmn apart from you) for the things they are going to do!