A BRADFORD woman who has been a long-serving member of the police has been recognised in the New Year's Honours list.

Marjorie Black, of Bradford, who works in West Yorkshire's Casualty Reduction Partnership, has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her loyal and dedicated service to local communities within West Yorkshire.

Former West Yorkshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Russ Foster has also been awarded a King’s Police Medal for services to policing.

Marjorie, 74, has not only given an astonishing half a century plus to policing, she also commits a significant amount of time to animal welfare through the Knine Kittycare charity, which she established with her late husband in 2006.

Marjorie currently works part-time in the West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership, which looks after road safety and speeding enforcement across West Yorkshire.

She received her West Yorkshire Police Long Service and Good Conduct award in 2004 and a force lifetime achievement award in 2016.

She also received a Chief Constable’s Commendation in October 2021 for her outstanding contribution of in excess of 50 years' police service in various public facing roles.

Passionate about animals, Marjorie has run Knine Kittycare from her home since 2006, rescuing unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats.

She often goes out of her way to locate animals that have been discarded, searching the local areas after receiving information of abandoned animals to ensure they are found and protected, given a place of safety, good food, a warm bed and ultimately rehomed.

Marjorie said: “It is a real honour, but for me, this is recognition for all the people I work with in my team at work and also for everyone involved in Knine Kittycare from fund-raising to fostering and adoption it is a full circle.”

West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable John Robins added: “Marjorie’s incredible energy and commitment to public service is remarkable. She is dedicated to making lives better, for people and animals alike and is a true ambassador for West Yorkshire Police.

“Very few people give such an incredible amount of their lives over to public service and this award is extremely well deserved.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Russ Foster has received a New Year's HonourRuss Foster has received a New Year's Honour (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

During his tenure with West Yorkshire Police, DCC Russ Foster had an unprecedented impact on force performance, driving changes which saw the force graded as 'Outstanding' by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.

Throughout his career Russ has been involved in many varied areas of policing, and during his time with the force oversaw a number of serious and complex investigations.

However it is the performance improvements at West Yorkshire Police that will be the lasting legacy of Russ, who will take up his new position as Chief Constable of Isle of Man Police, early in 2023.