Knighthood for ex-Surrey chief constable Denis O'Connor

A former chief constable of Surrey has received a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Denis O'Connor is HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary and receives the honour for services to the police. He was Surrey chief constable for four years.

He began his police career as a constable with the Metropolitan Police Service in 1968.

Among the positions he has held is deputy chief constable in Kent Police, from 1993 to 1997.

Mr O'Connor, from Betchworth, was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 1996, and in 2001 became a CBE.

During his time with Surrey Police, Mr O'Connor led the force through a number of high profile inquiries, including the investigation into serial rapist Antoni Imiela, the Milly Dowler murder investigation, and the controversial investigation into the deaths of four young soldiers at Deepcut Barracks.

Others to be honoured by the Queen in Surrey include the former England international rugby union player Andy Ripley, 62, from Lingfield, who has spoken movingly of his battle with prostate cancer, and becomes an OBE.