New Year’s Honours for GMP officers and staff following attack in Manchester on 22 May 2017

Five GMP officers and staff have been recognised for their commitment and dedication following the attack in Manchester on 22 May 2017.

Detective Chief Inspector Teresa Lam, Special Sergeant Jared Simpson, Robert Gallagher, Constable Michael Buckley and Chief Inspector Dale Sexton have all received honours in the New Year’s Honours.

Robert receives an MBE for services to policing for his work in managing the forensic response to the attack including the disaster victim identification. He has worked in forensic services since 1997.

Detective Chief Inspector Teresa Lam and Special Sgt Jared Simpson both receive the British Empire Medal for services to policing. Chief Inspector Dale Sexton and Constable Michael Buckley receive the Queen’s Police Medal.

Teresa is the Family Liaison lead for GMP and represents the North West region at the National Executive Board. She was responsible for coordinating and managing the Family Liaison response immediately following the attack and she continues in this role today. 

Teresa transferred from the Metropolitan Police Service 2007 and has since worked in various departments within GMP.

She said: “Receiving this recognition is a significant moment in my personal and professional life. It’s a huge privilege, and one for which I am truly honoured. However, I will never forget those who have suffered and to whom I remain dedicated to continue to support. I am immensely proud of my Family Liaison team who also worked tirelessly to provide support to those affected.”

Jared works for GMP as a detention officer and is also a Special Sergeant in Oldham. He has worked in the Special Constabulary for nine years. He was one of the first GMP officers on the scene at Manchester Arena.

Jared said: “It’s an absolute honour to be recognised in this way and I’m truly humbled. My first thought is always for the victim or victims that have been affected by whatever I am dealing with, and they will always be my first priority.”

Dale is one of the Force’s Duty Officers who are responsible for the initial management of critical incidents across the force, co-ordinating GMP resources as well as other forces and agencies. He was on duty on the night of 22 May 2017.

He said: “The response to the attack was a team effort and I was just part of that team. It is an honour to be recognised in this way; however, I regard this as a reflection of the exceptional courage everyone displayed that night. My thoughts will always remain with the victims and their families.”

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “The response to the attack on May 22, 2017 was truly outstanding and I am immensely proud of everything that the officers and staff of Greater Manchester Police did on that day and the days that followed.

“The honours for Teresa, Jared, Robert, Michael and Dale recognise the commitment, dedication and professionalism they showed in such horrific circumstances. They represent all of their colleagues in receiving these honours as well as their own exceptional work.”

Deputy Mayor Bev Hughes added: “So many police officers and staff responded unreservedly and with complete commitment to help the people caught up in the Arena attack last year. These honours, so very well deserved, are a tribute both to the exceptional dedication of these individual officers and staff members and also the hundreds of their colleagues in GMP who together demonstrated the very best in policing in the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances.”