Ken Stewart awarded the Queens Police Medal
This distinguished honour is presented to individuals who have had a long and successful career within the police force recognising their commitment to serving and helping the people of Britain. Mr Stewart’s own career spans over 30 years and he has used his policing experience to build strong relations across London’s business, financial and technology communities as well as the City of London Police and numerous other police forces.
Born in Greenwich, Mr Stewart began his career in 1984 when he joined the force as a Police Constable. In 2002, he was promoted to Head of Counter Terrorism for the City of London where he became the lead for Project Griffin, a police initiative protecting the UK from the threat of terrorism. In 2004, he was made Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent, responsible for all operational matters, and in 2008 he was appointed Detective Chief Superintendent, Head of Crime and Counter Terrorism at the City of London Police. In this role he oversaw all major intelligence and surveillance operations, the undercover and public protection units, source handling, the Special Branch and the Criminal Investigation Department.
Mr Stewart is a very well-respected figure in the City of London police force having worked as an investigator in numerous counter-terrorism campaigns and conducted major fraud enquiries spanning Africa, Europe and North America. He was involved in the investigations of the Bishopsgate, St Mary Axe and Heathrow Airport terrorist bombings in London, as well as the response to the 7/7 terrorist attacks.
Mr Stewart has also collaborated with international agencies including the FBI, the US Secret Service and Homeland Security. In addition to being a qualified Senior Investigation Officer, he is also an alumnus of the Senior Executive Course at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the USA, and of the Windsor Leadership Trust in the UK. Mr Stewart joined The Shield Group in February 2014 as Corporate Risk Solutions Director advising The Shield Group and its customers on the latest crime trends and countermeasures, in line with the Total Security Solutions approach.
Speaking about the award, Mr Stewart said: “I am extremely honoured to be awarded the Queens Police Medal both as an individual and as a former member of the City Of London Police. Recognition in this way is both humbling and inspiring in equal measure. To have served in the Force for the last thirty years was an honour in itself and it would be remiss of me if I did not express my gratitude to the men and women of the City Of London Police who supported me every step of the way.”
The Shield Group’s Chief Executive John Roddy added: “On behalf of everyone at Shield I would like to congratulate Ken on this great honour bestowed upon him, in recognition of a long and successful career with the City of London Police. Ken is particularly deserving of this award as a much-respected and admired senior police officer who has fought very hard over his 30-year career to keep the community safe and secure. To have this endorsement on top of his work is a crowning glory and an inspiration to all of us who know him.”
Adrian Leppard, QPM, Commissioner at City of London Police, commented: "I know I speak for all within the City of London Police when I say how proud we all were that (retired) Chief Superintendent Ken Stewart had been awarded the Queen's Police Medal. It is an honour reserved for the most distinguished police careers and one which Ken truly deserves. He has led some of the most complex international crime and counter terrorism investigations throughout which he has demonstrated leadership, professionalism and dedication. I know that our business partners and the wider community within the City of London will join me in wishing him the warmest congratulations.”
