Lambeth's top cop gets MBE
12:04pm Monday 18th June 2012 in Where I Live By Robert Fisk
Chief Superintendent Matt Bell
The borough’s top police officer has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Chief Superintendent Matt Bell, Lambeth’s borough commander, will receive an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for his work in the borough of Barking.
Mr Bell, who took charge in Lambeth at the beginning of this year, was a chief inspector and deputy borough commander in Bromley between 2003 and 2009.
He has also previously served as the borough commander of Barking and Dagenham, as a constable and an inspector in Southwark and Peckham and as a sergeant and chief inspector in Woolwich and Bromley.
Police bosses said they chose him as former Lambeth borough commander Nick Ephgrave’s replacement in 2012 “to help bring the community and police together as relations had broken down”.
Mr Bell said: "I've had a fantastic 27 years in the Met and this award is the icing on the cake.
“It was a challenging time in Barking but the plans worked and it's a completely different borough now to the one it was before".
Commenting on the honours handed out to police officers this year, Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "These awards are a great achievement and show what a fantastic contribution officers, staff and volunteers in the Metropolitan Police Service make to the organisation.”
