Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable awarded knighthood

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson QPM has received a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours.

Sir Stephen Watson

Sir Stephen Watson is amongst the most experience senior officers in the country, having joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1988; moving on to roles in Merseyside Police, The Metropolitan Police, Durham Constabulary and South Yorkshire Police which, during his tenure as Chief Constable, became the most improved force in the country for three consecutive years. As Chief Constable of Greater Manchester since 2021, Sir Stephen has led the second largest force in the country through one of the most rapid and wide-ranging transformations in British policing history - reducing crime by 7.2%, increasing the number of crimes solved by 70% and delivering sector-leading response times. Sir Stephen Watson said: 

"I was delighted and humbled in equal measure on learning that I was to receive an honour from HM The King.

"I am immensely grateful to my wife and family for their unstinting support; they have willingly made innumerable sacrifices over many years, as is the case for so many police families.

"My own good fortune only arises because of the guidance, support and confidence provided to me by a great number of excellent colleagues over a long career.

"It has been the privilege of my life to work amongst the extraordinary officers and staff of Greater Manchester Police and in several other forces across our country.

"My honour is reflective of their sustained determination, decency and effectiveness in the service of the public." ir Stephen Watson is amongst the most experienced senior officers in the country having joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1988. He was appointed to Merseyside Police in 2006 on promotion to Chief Superintendent, where he initially headed up the force's Strategic Development Department. He subsequently served for three years as Area Commander for Liverpool North, one of the largest and most challenging Basic Command Units in the country.

In 2011, he was appointed to the Metropolitan Police as Commander for the East Area, with responsibility for all aspects of operational policing across nine London boroughs. This dynamic and diverse area is home to over 2.3 million Londoners, and he held command of 6,250 police officers and staff with a total operating budget of £325 million.

As a qualified firearms and public order commander, he regularly performed Gold Command roles in several high-profile policing operations and critical incidents, including a fatal helicopter crash in central London and in working with partner agencies across East London so as to restore public confidence in the aftermath of the 2011 riots. As a senior member of the 2012 Olympic Command Team, he was awarded the Commissioner's Commendation in recognition of his role, which involved the planning and delivery of all territorial policing across London throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In June 2015 Sir Stephen returned to the north of England, having been appointed Deputy Chief Constable for Durham Constabulary, and in July 2016 he took up his appointment as Chief Constable for South Yorkshire Police (SYP). During his tenure, SYP became the most improved force in the country for three consecutive years and in 2019 he was awarded the Queens Police Medal for distinguished service.

Sir Stephen became Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in May 2021.  GMP is the second largest force in England and Wales with circa 14,500 officers and staff; and an operating budget of approximately £820m.

His appointment came at a difficult time for GMP.  The force had been placed into 'Special Measures' by HMICFRS given the manifold failings in the organisation at that time.  Such was the extent of early progress that GMP was formally brought out of external engagement in October 2022 – the most rapid recovery journey ever recorded in contemporary British policing history.  GMP achieved the welcome epithet of most improved in the country during 2022/23 and today remains powerfully resurgent across all measures of police performance.

In March 2023, Sir Stephen was appointed, by the Home Secretary, to be a non-executive Director on the Board of the College of Policing.  In July 2023, he assumed the role of Service Director for the Executive Leadership element of the UK's Police Leadership Programme.  This is policing's most senior leadership development course and assists in the identification and training of the future leaders of British policing.

Sir Stephen has previously led for the National Police Chief's Council in respect of Crime Prevention and was Chair of the National Counter Corruption Advisory Committee. Follow Manchester Today on Facebook, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Newsdesk@ManchesterToday.org.uk