BTP staff awarded MBEs for diversity and inclusion work in Queen’s Birthday Honours 2022

Two members of police staff at British Transport Police have been honoured in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours for their outstanding contributions to improving policing legitimacy and amplifying the voices of minority and underrepresented groups within BTP.

Keith Jarrett

Keith Jarrett, a former London-based BTP officer who now works as a Communications Officer at BTP’s Force Control Room in London, has been awarded an MBE for services to policing. He was recognised for his work towards increasing diversity and confidence in policing for BTP’s employees and building trust with local communities and ethnic minority groups. He was also commended for his bravery when responding to numerous major incidents during his 28-year career in policing.

A number of Keith’s achievements recognised include:

• Forming the Black Police Association and driving BTP’s recruitment for more officers and staff from ethnic minority backgrounds
• Setting up BTP’s Youth Independent Advisory group to engage young people from a variety of backgrounds in policing and ensure that their voices are heard
• Being the first BTP supervisor on scene at the Southall train crash in September 1997, coming to the aid of a significant number of injured passengers
• Being one of the first officers on the scene and assisting walking wounded members of the public to shelter at BTP’s Tavistock HQ after a bus exploded nearby during the 7/7 London bombings

Keith retired as a police officer in July 2014 and shortly after returned to the force as a Communications Officer in the London Control Room.

On being awarded an MBE, Keith said: “I feel extremely proud and honoured to be receiving this award and for my work to be recognised this way.

“I didn’t think anyone was noticing what I was doing, I was simply doing it because it was the right thing to do and I want my children and grandchildren to grow up in a society where people from minority ethnic backgrounds are listened to and better represented within the police.

“The UK is my home, and I’m passionate about making sure that myself and everyone else in my home feels included, safe, and looked after. These achievements wouldn’t have been possible without my colleagues who supported and encouraged me to set up these initiatives, and who are ensuring that they long continue.

“To be awarded for something I simply love to do is a true career highlight and the greatest honour.”

Barry Boffy

Barry Boffy, former BTP Head of Inclusion and Diversity, has been awarded an MBE for services to diversity and inclusion in policing. Barry has been recognised for his outstanding commitment and actions in improving policing legitimacy, as well as striving for better representation and understanding of employees from diverse backgrounds and varied communities within the force.

 A few of Barry’s achievements recognised include:

• Being an internationally recognised policing diversity advocate and expert
• Drawing upon his expertise to shape BTP’s nationwide operational strategy to tackling hate crime on the rail network
• Championing the creation of twelve network groups for BTP employees, connecting officers and staff from underrepresented groups and giving them an influential voice
• Advocating change and educating officers and staff on the treatment and support of transgender and non-binary members of the public, such as transforming police search guidance

Barry left the force in March 2022 after fifteen years and now continues to work as an inclusion and diversity expert, supporting a number of charities across Europe as well as being consulted on equality, diversity and inclusion and community cohesion matters.

On being awarded an MBE, Barry said: "What a wonderful and completely unexpected honour! I'm so humbled that BTP would think so highly of the work that I've done over the last 15 years, or that it felt that I was worthy of such recognition.

“When I initially joined BTP on a temporary 3-month contract in 2007, I could never have had any idea what an incredible opportunity it would be or how rewarding a career in policing I would eventually go on to have. I will always be grateful to everyone at BTP who supported and championed me and my work over the years, and I am so proud to have served alongside such dedicated and passionate colleagues during some truly difficult and challenging times.

“It's because of them, with the unwavering support of my family and partner David, that I've felt welcomed and a valued colleague within the policing family over so many years. This honour is something I could never have expected, so I am shocked but incredibly honoured and grateful to be awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours."

On their achievements, BTP Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi QPM said: “I’m very proud to see Keith and Barry’s remarkable work recognised by Her Majesty as part of her Birthday Honours. They have both brought powerful and long-lasting change to ensure that the diverse communities we serve remain at the heart of our policing approach, while also making BTP a better place for people from all background and communities to be a part of. It is truly inspiring.”