Former Chief Constable Serena Kennedy has been made a Dame, while DCI Jason Pye receives the King’s Police Medal in recognition of their service to Merseyside Police and major investigations across the region.
Former Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy and Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye have been named in the King's Birthday Honours for their exceptional contributions to policing. Kennedy has been awarded a damehood for her decades of service, while Pye has received the King’s Police Medal. Serena Kennedy, who retired after a 32-year career that began with the Greater Manchester Police in 1993, served with the Cheshire Constabulary before joining Merseyside Police in 2017. In April 2021, she made history as the first female Chief Constable of Merseyside Police.
Her tenure included managing critical incidents such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Liverpool Women's Hospital bombing, and the investigations surrounding the 2022 murders in Southport. This latest honor follows her receipt of the King's Police Medal in 2023. Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye was also awarded the King's Police Medal. Since joining the force in 2003, Pye advanced to the role of senior detective. In July 2024, he was appointed to lead the investigation into the murders of Ashley Dale, Sam Rimmer, and Elle Edwards in Southport.
Current Merseyside Police Chief Constable Rob Carden praised Pye’s leadership, noting that he managed the complex, multi-agency investigation with great professionalism, humanity, and determination, working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure the successful development of the case’s comprehensive evidential record.
