A member of staff with the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit received his MBE for services to policing at Buckingham Palace on 31 October.
Review Team Manager Mick Flavin who is in his 47th year of continuous service said: “I am extremely humbled to have been nominated for an MBE, let alone be awarded one. I would like to thank my colleagues who took the time to nominate me.”
Mick has been married for almost 40 years, has two children and two grandchildren.
He said: “To attend the Palace with my close family is something I will never forget. I owe them a very special thank you for the never ending love and support they have given me over the decades. Without them, I could not have achieved what I have.”
Mick began his policing career with Hertfordshire Constabulary as a cadet in 1973 before becoming a regular in 1976. During his career as an officer, he worked in many different uniform and detective roles in various parts of the county before joining the Major Crime Unit (MCU) in 2000.
Mick retired in 2006 but returned as a member of police staff with the MCU where he still works today.
He has been involved with a number of high profile and complex cases and has received recognition for his work in the form of 12 Chief Constable’s commendations and a National Police Staff Member Award from the NPCC Homicide Working Group in 2017.
Some of the most significant operations he has worked on include the Buncefield explosion and Potters Bar and Hatfield rail crashes, alongside a number of high profile murder and cold case investigations.
He added: “I genuinely still enjoy my job as much now as I did when I first joined the force. I am lucky enough to work with so many talented and professional people and I must thank my colleagues as any result is a team effort.
“I feel a personal sense of satisfaction and pride knowing we are delivering justice to victims by convicting offenders of some of the most serious crimes which occur.
“Within the cold case arena, the importance of our work in revisiting past cases in order to bring evil predators before the courts cannot be underestimated. I know there is still so much more I can do and I am determined to continue to serve the public of Beds, Cambs and Herts for as long as I can.”
ACC for Joint Protective Services, Paul Fullwood said: “Mick is a genuine, hardworking and dedicated professional and totally deserving of this honour. I would like to congratulate him and thank him for everything he has done. It is not lost on me just how important the love and support of your family are when working for the police and I too would like to thank Mick’s family for everything they do for him.
“Due to his length of service Mick has a genuine legacy. He has personal knowledge of the many cold cases which he and this team review having either worked on the investigations at the time years ago or was aware of them.
“His knowledge and wisdom have been vital in the role he plays in bringing justice for victims and keeping our counties safe.”
Charlie Hall, Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Chief Constable, said: “For the best part of five decades Mick has served the public with enthusiasm and commitment and I am delighted his inspirational attitude has been recognised in this special way.
“Mick’s varied career clearly shows the diversity colleagues can experience when they join the police service and I am hugely grateful for all that he has done.”
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