A MEMBER of Essex Police's crime directorate, who cut his teeth as a young policeman in Grays, has been honoured in the King's New Year's Honours list.

Senior Essex Police investigator Kevin Macey, Head of Serious Case Review for the joint Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, has been recognised for his service to policing and victims and been awarded a British Empire Medal.

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington says: "I'm very proud that Kevin's policing career of 47 years and dedication to the communities of Essex has been recognised in the King's New Year's Honours list.

"As a detective, Kevin was extremely dedicated to and passionate about helping victims, bringing criminals to justice.

"On retirement as a police officer, he was able to bring his vast experience to his police staff role as the Head of Serious Case Review. 

"His work means that we're constantly learning from investigations to obtain justice for victims and reduce crime, serious violence and homicide.

"He is a firm believer in sharing his and other's experiences, so we continue to help people and catch criminals.

"Kevin is the epitome of hard work and commitment to policing. Congratulations, Kevin for this well-deserved recognition of your lengthy and distinguished career."

Mr Macey says news of the award came as a 'complete surprise, followed by 'pride that I can still deliver something after 47 years that others feel is worthwhile'.

He says: "In those all those years you learn a lot about offending and people but there are very few unique crimes and no-one knows it all.

"So, with the benefit of those experiences, some good and some not so, there is much to pass on to others, as indeed others did for me.

"It certainly helps that I have worked with some very good people and some great teams over the years.

"Serious crime investigations can be hugely testing but there are fewer greater rewards than the gratitude of victims, or their families, for what we do, as police officers and staff, to mitigate harm and bring people to justice."

Mr Macey joined Essex Police in 1976. After 18 months in uniform in Grays, Kevin was asked by a senior officer to consider joining CID (the criminal investigation department) and, apart from a 12-month spell as a uniformed inspector on an exchange with the Metropolitan Police, he has remained an investigator ever since.

Most of his career has been in Essex, apart from three years in the Regional Crime Squad and that year in the Met.

As a detective, he spent spells in Grays, Basildon and Southend, eventually becoming a senior investigating officer (SIO) in 1997.

He rose to the rank of detective superintendent, retiring as Head of Specialist Investigations ten years later.

During that time, he dealt with more than 50 murders and attempted murders, together with a multitude of other serious and high-profile investigations.

In 2007, Mr Macey became the force's Head of Major Crime Review. Four years later, when Essex Police and Kent Police set up their joint Serious Crime Directorate (SCD), he took on the job of reviewing both forces' major crime cases.

As a PIP4 strategic investigator, he takes on a support and advisory role and continues to support and develop new senior investigators and younger detectives.

"I am fortunate to get to review unsolved cases but also to support investigators to achieve their best, including passing on some of my investigative experiences to colleagues."

Over the years, he has been presented with three top awards from the National Police Chiefs' Council (and its forerunner, the Association of Chief Police Officers) Homicide Working Group, winning every single category – SIO, team and police staff.

He was also part of the national working group which authored the recently-updated Major Crime Investigation Manual.