A police officer with 31 years frontline experience was made an MBE by the Queen.
Ken Venables, who is the manager of the community safety partnership for Basildon District Council, was invited to Buckingham Palace on Friday to receive the honour.
The 58-year-old was made an MBE for his service to the police and the community. He said: "I am of course delighted and honoured to have been nominated for the award which recognises the importance the council attaches to all community safety issues.
"But the honour must be shared by colleagues in the council and the committed and enthusiastic people in the many agencies forming the Community Safety Partnership, particularly Basildon police.
"Without their support it would have been impossible to achieve what we have in such a short time."
Mr Venables started his career as a policeman in London's East End and rose through the ranks to become a chief inspector at New Scotland Yard.
Published Tuesday December 16, 2003
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