Fr Barry Lomax, a diocesan priest and Force Lead Chaplain for Greater Manchester Police, was made a Fellow of the Catholic Police Guild at their annual National Requiem Mass, celebrated in Westminster Cathedral, London.

The Fellowship is the Guild’s highest honour and the National Executive Committee voted unanimously to present the award to Fr Barry, who has served as a Police Chaplain with Greater Manchester Police since 2001.

Fr. Barry said: “I was honoured to receive the Fellowship from Rt Rev Alan Williams SM, Bishop of Brentwood. It came as a complete surprise to me, and the citation read aloud in the Cathedral by Paul Connolly was moving to hear.”

In his citation announcing the decision, Paul Connolly, National Chair of the Guild, described Fr Barry as “someone who has provided long and meritorious service or in some special way has enhanced the standing of the guild.”

He added: “Since 2013, he has been the National Chaplain to The Catholic Police Guild and his help and advice to me, my predecessors as Chair and those both in the Guild and not in the Guild, can never be measured.

Mohammad Asad, a Muslim chaplain for WMP has received an MBE medal for his volunteer work throughout the pandemic.

As well as being a faith advisor for the force, Mohammad is also an Imam at Birmingham Central Mosque.

He was given the top honour from HRH Princess Anne at a ceremony in Windsor Castle earlier this month on 8 March.

During the pandemic, he helped to distribute hundreds of much-needed items to hospital workers on the frontline battling Covid.

Merseyside police officers, staff, volunteers, and community partners were celebrated at this year’s force Community First Awards held on, Wednesday 16 November 2022.

Now in their fifth year, the Community First Awards recognise the dedication, bravery and professionalism shown by people across the force, and from partner organisations, to support our communities, preventing crime, protecting people, and pursuing offenders. 

This year more than 150 entries were received from Merseyside Police colleagues who nominated officers and staff for their outstanding work, as well as those who carry out invaluable duties alongside the force, to help the community.

A judging panel had the difficult task of shortlisting submissions, selecting three finalists for each of the 13 categories, with Chief Constable Serena Kennedy and Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell also choosing a worthy winner of their personal choice awards.*

Julie McCulloch Team Bebington Chaplain took the award for Police Volunteer of the Year. In winning the award Julie said

This guide has been developed to provide information for leaders and others in the police service on how they can support Jewish officers and staff.

These recommendations will support policing to continue to be an open and inclusive organisation. They will help to positively shape recruitment, retention and progression, and will assist the service to improve the quality of working experience for Jewish colleagues.

Chaplains can login to the forum to see the full guidance.

Derek’s licensing took place in St Peters Warmsworth and was led by the Rt Rev Sophie Jelley, Bishop of Doncaster. It was good to see a diverse representation of both the police, church and community in attendance. Everyone including the High Sheriff of Doncaster were welcomed by the Associate Archdeacon Father Stephen Edmunds, Central to the service were our two readings from Scripture. A reading from the bible -  Matthew’s Gospel 9.35-38 which talks about the needs in the communities around us and the compassion and care shown by Jesus, a hallmark of Derek’s care and support for the force. It also talks about the labourers being so few which again is Derek’s prayer to grow a multi faith team. The second reading was from the second letter of Paul to Timothy which talks about holding firm, being proud and trusting. Prayers for the community, church and police were jointly led by Derek and the Reverend Cannon Ian Smith where peace and justice were a central theme.

The service concluded with a hymn by J R Pearcey - "Go to the world in peace, go to the world in love, go to the world in strength and go to the world in joy". A positive message for Derek in his new role and for the force as they face the challenges of serving in difficult times.

We are very sad to announce the death of Rev'd Canon Bill Cave, Lead Chaplain to Wiltshire Police.

Ordained in 1979, Canon Bill’s ministry has been spent working with people, now friends, of other Christian and faith traditions. He spent 12 years at the Inter-Faith Chaplaincy Centre at Lancaster University, and directing students in their understanding of conflicts in Northern Ireland and the Middle East.

In 1997 Bill became chaplain at HMP The Weare, a prison ship in Portland Harbour before becoming Chaplain of the Verne Immigration Removal Centre. 

Since leaving prison chaplaincy in 2017, Bill has been Lead Chaplain to Wiltshire Police and a friend and colleague to many in Police Chaplaincy UK.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill's family and friends and those he served in Wiltshire.