Queen’s Birthday Honours List recognises two College of Policing employees

The former chief executive of the College of Policing and the current head of workforce development have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to policing in the Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours List, alongside police officers, staff and volunteers from forces across the country. 

Former chief executive Mike Cunningham has been awarded a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), while the College's head of workforce development, Louise Hodgson, was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), announced in the list. 

Mike Cunningham has contributed more than 30 years to the service and led the College from 2018 to 2020, playing a vital role in policing’s response to the coronavirus pandemic by working with the Home Office, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Police Federation, and police and crime commissioners to draw up and publish policing guidance for the rapidly developing lockdown legislation.

Louise Hodgson has dedicated almost 20 years to policing and her work continues to be fundamental to the development of police officers across England and Wales. Louise led the development and implementation of the online recruitment process, which allowed forces to continue to recruit police officers during the coronavirus pandemic. Forces also exceeded the target for the first year of the Police Uplift Programme to recruit an additional 20,000 officers. 

I would like to congratulate all police officers, staff and volunteers who have also been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for their tireless commitment to keeping the public safe, especially in the face of a global pandemic.

Mike and Louise have made tremendous contributions to policing over their years of service and I would like to congratulate them both on receiving this outstanding honour. 

Mike has been instrumental in steering the direction of the College in recent years and his 30 years of service have been an invaluable contribution to policing, from his time at Lancashire and Staffordshire Constabularies, through to his post as HM Inspector of Constabulary. His work in the areas of diversity, digital and leadership continue to be key priority areas for the College. 

From her first appointment through to her current post as Head of Workforce Development, Louise has been a key figure in the continued development of the policing workforce and demonstrates her dedication to the frontline and to keeping the public safe on a daily basis.

I would like to thank them both for their contributions to the College and the policing profession at large.

Bernie O’Reilly, interim CEO of the College of Policing