British Transport Police Officers Named on the New Year Honors List

Chief Superintendent Martin Fry, the divisional commander for London and the South East, has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal (QPM).

And Special Sergeant Mark Walder, who volunteers for both the British Transport Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM).

Both were named on the Queen’s New Year Honors List.

Chief Superintendent Fry said: “I was very surprised when I received the letter – you think there are so many other worthy individuals out there and I’m just doing my job – but it was definitely a nice surprise.

“The letter was dated 14 December but it had been sat in a pile of things I hadn’t opened at home so I didn’t see it until Christmas Eve!”

Chief Superintendent Fry joined BTP as a PC at Euston in 1977 and has served across the Force, including long stints in CID, leading both the Crime and Professional Standards departments and serving as an area commander and now divisional commander.

During the last 20 years, he has also been seconded to the Metropolitan Police, spent time sharing specialist skills at the IPCC and has also led a number of independent police reviews.

At BTP, he helped develop a team to tackle cyber crime, improved performance and victim care across the Force and has led a full review into changes to improve the way the Force operates.

Chief Superintendent Fry said: “It’s hard to pick out individual stand-out moments but from seeing an advert for a job at BTP when I was a teenager, and thinking ‘that sounds interesting’ to present day, it’s never stopped being a fascinating place to work.”

Special Sergeant Mark Walder joined the Force in 2005 and ever since, has dedicated himself to helping police the railways throughout Sussex.

He undertook 529 hours of police duty in 2016 alone and has shown bravery on numerous occasions, including when he was commended for restraining a violent man who had run into the railway tunnel between St Leonards Warrior Square and Hastings.

In addition to undertaking frontline response policing, he also regularly volunteers to police large scale events such as Brighton Pride, Lewes Bonfire and football events.

Special Sergeant Walder said:  “I didn’t join for recognition and I certainly didn’t expect this. I am humbled by this honor but particularly of the fact that colleagues and ex-colleagues have gone out of their way to initiate it.

“I have accepted this honor for them, my family, my friends and my employer who have supported me throughout my career.”

In addition to his commitment to policing, Special Sergeant Walder volunteers as a Community First Responder with his local ambulance service and also works for the Direct Line Group, who he said were very supportive of volunteering.

He added:  “I love what I do as much now, as when I joined. It is volunteering like no other and I would encourage more people to be bold, take the step and become a Special Constable. The Police service can really benefit from the skills people outside the service bring.”

Special Constabulary Chief Officer Ben Clifford said: “Mark has been a Special with us since January 2005, volunteering many hours as a police officer - 529 in the last year alone - to keep the travelling public in Sussex safe. 

“As a Special Sergeant he has given much time and effort over many years to mentor and support other Special Constables based at Brighton and Gatwick, helping us get the best from our team there.

“This award is richly deserved recognition of such exemplary voluntary service.”

BTP Chief Constable Paul Crowther said: “I am immensely proud that both of these officers, who have rightly been recognized for their commitment to policing, are part of British Transport Police.

“As our previous head of crime, and now Divisional Commander, Martin is an inspirational role model who consistently delivers above and beyond in his commitment to keep the travelling public and rail and London Underground network safe.

“The dedication of our volunteer Special Constables who give up their free time to help keep the railways a safe environment for passengers and rail staff is also commendable. I thank Mark for the countless hours he donates each year to help serve the rail community and I am delighted his contribution has been recognized with this award.”