2 days ago
County Durham police intelligence specialist awarded MBE in King's Birthday Honours
A County Durham police intelligence specialist who has spent decades taking dangerous criminals off the streets has been named in the King's Birthday Honours.
During her distinguished career, Carole Johnson from Durham helped trace vulnerable missing children and put organised crime gangs behind bars . She has received an MBE for her services to policing.
Carole, now 53, joined Durham Constabulary in 1996 as an administrator working at Newton Aycliffe Police Station - but her career changed direction when she joined the intelligence team in 2000.
Carole Johnson. (Image: DURHAM CONSTABULARY) She rose through the ranks to form the first CAB (Central Authorities Bureau) team at the force in 2010, and her current role sees her help the force deploy secret surveillance tactics and warrants.
Today, (June 13) it has been confirmed that Carole is one of 16 people from the North East to be named in the King's Birthday Honours - and when a letter carrying the news landed on her doormat, she was left "gobsmacked".
'It was Bank Holiday Monday,' she said. 'We had been across to the Lake District for the weekend, and I arrived home to find the letter among the post.
'When I opened it, I immediately thought, 'that has got to be some sort of scam', but we checked it and sure enough it was true. I was gobsmacked – it was absolutely unbelievable.
'I'm over the moon and my family and colleagues will be over the moon too – I'm just so relieved that I can finally tell them.'
Carole added: "I absolutely love my job. You are always learning; there is always something new, whether that is changing technology or changing legislation, so it is always different.
"There are hard days, but the team I work with are amazing people and my job is made easier by them.
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"We have saved some lives and we have locked up some bad people, so I am really passionate about it."
Chief Constable Rachel Bacon said: "This is a thoroughly well-deserved honour for Carole and an immensely proud day for Durham Constabulary.
"Perhaps because of the covert nature of their work, some of our teams do not get the public recognition for the incredible work they do to protect the public and achieve justice for victims every day.
"Carole and her team exemplify the very best of Durham Constabulary; she is an inspirational and motivational leader who has repeatedly helped to save lives, pursue criminals and protect some of our most vulnerable people."
