Police across the region have this week congratulated Pam Whitehead, an Enquiry Office Advisor from Burnham-On-Sea Police Station, who was awarded an MBE in this year’s New Year’s Honours list.
Burrnham-On-Sea.com first reported here that Pam had been awarded the Royal accolade after 38 years of work.
She joined the police in 1974 in Bridgwater and worked as a typist before moving on to Taunton to work in the Coroner’s office and finally returning to Burnham in 1981 as an Enquiry Officer/Admin Officer/Detained Property Register clerk where she continues to work today.
Chief Superintendent Daimon Tilley, District Commander for Somerset West, said this week: “I am extremely proud and pleased for Pam that her efforts and dedication have been recognised in this way.”
“She is an inspiration to others in her professional life and her work in and for her local community.”
“She is an excellent example of our officers and staff who work hard to provide the highest possible quality of service to the public. I extend her my congratulations.”
Inspector Roger Tolley added: “I am delighted for Pam. This recognition is certainly much deserved and justly awarded. She has served the Constabulary loyally and efficiently for 38 years and her dedication in providing the quality of service we strive for is second to none.”
“She is a shining example of a person who gives so much of herself to her role. Her dedication to the community in Burnham, to ensuring that everyone she meets is received in a professional and friendly way and her general commitment is unmatched and I am extremely pleased that has been recognised in such a way. She truly deserves this accolade.”
“The award of the MBE for service to the Constabulary is just recognition of a devoted and truly inspirational person whom we are proud to call a colleague and are lucky to have in our team. The morning she was told she was being awarded the MBE she was in work as usual, as if it was just another day, as modest and as understated of her contribution as always.”
Pam said: “It was fantastic news. I was very excited but really shocked by it. I just do my job and try to make sure that everyone gets a good service. I am thrilled and pleased and have received some wonderful good wishes from everyone but it will still take some time for the news to sink in. I’m looking forward to continuing at work for the next few years. I really enjoy helping everyone I meet at the station.”
The award is being made for Pam’s services to the Avon and Somerset Constabulary, but her colleagues also feel that there are other achievements and her general over-arching commitment to the community that demonstrate why Pam is such a worthy recipient.
In addition to her day job, where she often starts early and finishes late, she has also made significant contributions to Royal British Legion (RBL). In 1983 she joined the Women’s Section of the RBL beginning her commitment to voluntary work and fundraising, which she continues to this day as the County Chairperson, devoting over 16 hours per week to her duties.
Between 1993 and 2002, she was the RBL Women’s Section (RBLWS) National Standard Bearer champion six times, a record in the 84 years of its history then. In 2002 she became Deputy National Parade Marshall and was the National RBLWS Standard Bearer at the laying in state of HRH the Queen Mother. In 2005 she took over as National Marshall with responsibility for the convening of all national events, retiring from this position in 2007.
In 2006, Pam also represented the Constabulary’s Support Staff at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party in addition to being awarded the RBLWS Gold Badge and being presented with a Civic Award as “Person of the Year” for services to the local community by Burnham Town Council in recognition of her selfless devotion to her duties.
Throughout her association with the RBLWS she has raised many thousands of pounds for the charity, including over £5,000 in 2008 as part of a team completing a 100 mile sponsored walk from Weston-Super-Mare to Bournemouth over four days. Pam has also abseiled down Avon Gorge and cycled from Greenwich to Paris for the Poppy Appeal. She has also been the local co-ordinator for the Poppy Appeal within the Somerset West Policing District.
The investiture will take place at Buckingham Palace within the next six months, which Pam says she is very much looking forward to.
