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King’s New Year Honours: Former police chaplain Kerry-Anne Cooper and Special Chief Inspector Ron McMurdie awarded MBEs




Two ‘volunteers’ with Hertfordshire Constabulary have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours for their outstanding community service.

Former police chaplain Kerry-Anne Cooper and Special Chief Inspector (SCI) Ron McMurdie have been awarded MBEs (Member of the Order of the British Empire).

For the best part of five decades, Ron, a mechanical engineer, has supported front-line policing, consistently giving more than 30 hours of his free time each month.

Former Special Chief Inspector Ron McMurdle and former police chaplain Kerry-Anne Cooper
Former Special Chief Inspector Ron McMurdle and former police chaplain Kerry-Anne Cooper

Joining in 1978, he patrolled Watford and, after being promoted to special sergeant, moved to Rickmansworth. Promotion to special inspector in 1982 and SCI in 2018 followed.

Ron hung up his uniform in September and is now a police support volunteer, providing vital support in terms of training and development for the special constabulary in Hertfordshire. His work ensures that special officers have access to the right support if they have been involved in serious incidents or injured whilst on duty.

He said of his award: “I feel a bit overwhelmed with the news. For me it’s always been about working with other special colleagues and enjoying great teamwork.”

He reflected: “Volunteering with the specials is all so different now. The standard of equipment has really improved, along with better staff protection training.

“Specials are considered to be part of everyday policing and not just at weekends or in times of need, so we feel very much part of the entire Hertfordshire police family.”

Naturally caring and empathetic, Kerry-Anne became a police chaplain in 2019 and provided pastoral support to officers and staff until she left the force in November, when she and husband Owen moved to Lincolnshire.

She has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to charity, having raised an astonishing £800,000 through donations to secure premises in Hemel Hempstead to set up and develop The Liberty Tea Rooms & Community Hub, which provides a safe haven for vulnerable people.

Mindful of the inequalities linked with poverty and low income, Kerry-Anne has operated a voluntary payment scheme in the tearoom which makes a huge difference to the most financially vulnerable.

She has provided free life skills and in-depth counselling services. The initiative is supported by 90 volunteers, many of whom have vulnerabilities or learning needs themselves.

Over the years Kerry-Anne has worked with local colleges, job centres and homelessness shelters in a drive to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged people.

She said: “I was blown away by the news when the letter came through. This award is recognition not just for me but all the hard-working volunteers and individuals who have made the tearoom and our associated activities so successful.

“I also loved being a police chaplain and met so many wonderful people as part of my work. I feel really honoured and plan to continue my work at Liberty Tea Rooms.”

Incoming Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: “The achievements of Ron and Kerry-Anne are nothing short of amazing. Their hard work, compassion and sense of duty are a shining example to us all. They are so deserving of the recognition that has been bestowed upon them.”



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