Merseyside PCC congratulates two outstanding figures in Merseyside policing on their recognition in the King’s Honours
15.06.26 - Merseyside
A former Chief Constable of Merseyside Police and a Detective Chief Inspector have today been named in the King’s Birthday honours.
Former Merseyside Police Chief Constable, Serena Kennedy received a damehood for Services to Policing while Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye has been awarded the King’s Police Medal.
Serena served in policing for 32 years, starting her career as a Constable at Greater Manchester Police in 1993 before moving to Cheshire Constabulary and arriving at Merseyside Police as an Assistant Chief Constable in 2017. In April 2021, she became the first female Chief Constable in the history of Merseyside Police. Serena’s damehood follows her receipt of the King’s Police Medal in the 2023 in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Jason Pye joined the Force as a Constable in January 2003, rising through the ranks to become a Detective Chief Inspector. In July 2024, he was tasked with leading the investigation into the tragic murders of Alice, Bebe and Elsie in Southport on 29 July 2024.
Following the announcement, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “My warmest congratulations to Dame Serena Kennedy on this richly deserved honour.
“Receiving a Damehood is a fitting tribute to a policing career defined by integrity and a commitment to public service. Throughout her time as Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Serena demonstrated remarkable leadership, guiding the force and our region through some of the most challenging and complex events in recent history with professionalism, compassion and determination.
“From responding to major incidents such as the explosion at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, the tragic murders of Ava White, Sam Rimmer, Ashley Dale, Olivia Pratt-Korbel, and Elle Edwards and the Southport tragedy, to leading the force through the unprecedented pressures of the pandemic and delivering a safe and successful Eurovision, Serena’s focus was always protecting our communities and doing what is right.
“As Merseyside’s first female Chief Constable, she is also an inspiring role model, paving the way for future generations of women in policing and public service.
“Under her leadership, Merseyside Police was consistently recognised as one of the best performing metropolitan forces in the country, achieving significant reductions in crime and driving forward innovative approaches such as EVOLVE, to tackle serious and organised crime.
“On behalf of the people of our region, I thank her sincerely for her decades of service and her dedication to keeping our communities safe.
“I would also like to extend my sincere congratulations to Chief Inspector Jason Pye on being awarded the King’s Policing Medal. This is an equally well-deserved honour recognising his leadership, professionalism and humanity during one of the most high-profile and harrowing investigations Merseyside Police has ever faced.
“As Senior Investigating Officer, following the awful murders of Bebe, Alice and Elsie in Southport, Jason demonstrated not only strong investigative skill and resilience, but also remarkable compassion in the face of unimaginable tragedy. His determination to ensure that victims and their families were treated with dignity, care and understanding was central to the investigation, placing their wellbeing at its very heart.
“Leading a complex and emotionally demanding inquiry under intense scrutiny, he brought together partners across policing and beyond to build a comprehensive and compelling evidential case. His work has rightly been recognised as a leading example of investigative practice at a national level.
“Jason’s conduct throughout this investigation reflects the best of British policing.”