Two of Ayrshire's top police officers have been awarded the King's Police Medal (KPM) in the New Year Honours List.

The honours went to Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain - the most senior officer in Ayrshire- and retired Chief Superintendent Carol McGuire, who still lives in the county.

Chief Superintendent Hussain joined Strathclyde Police in 1999. He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2019 and appointed as divisional commander for Ayrshire in 2020 where he championed partnership working and engagement.

As a strategic firearms commander, Faroque has overseen and coordinated firearms assets for major events, including COP26 and the Queen’s death.

After a secondment to the National Crime Agency, he was appointed as divisional commander for Ayrshire in 2020, and was recently made Police Scotland's temporary Assistant Chief Constable for partnerships, preventions and community wellbeing.

Mr Hussain, who is 45 and lives in Ayrshire, said: “I am deeply honoured by this recognition from His Majesty the King.

"I am profoundly grateful to have worked with countless selfless colleagues and partners from across Scotland, and beyond, who work tirelessly to keep our fellow citizens safe.

“Most of all, I thank my wife and our family for their unwavering support.”

Chief Superintendent Carol McGuire joined Strathclyde Police in 1995, serving in roles across local policing, emergency planning and community safety where she wrote the first gender equality scheme for Strathclyde Police.

Carol later undertook a secondment to the Football Coordination Unit Scotland, where she developed the first national strategy for the policing of football in Scotland.

In 2017, Carol joined the Operational Support Division (Specialist Services) where she was responsible for specialist resources including public order and oversaw the introduction of drones to enhance air support capability.

During her time at OSD, Carol also drove work to identify and procure new, lighter and more flexible body armour for officers.

Latterly, Carol served as divisional commander for Dumfries and Galloway, where she is originally from, and she retired in October 2023.

Ms McGuire, 52, said: “It is fair to say I am genuinely overwhelmed and more than a little surprised to be receiving such a prestigious accolade, however, I am extremely proud as well.

“I am also enormously grateful to those who have guided and mentored me throughout my career in policing, and the many others whose support has been invaluable.

“It was a true privilege to have been a police officer, and to have led and been part of so many tremendous teams, and my thanks go to everyone who has been a part of my story.”

Police Scotland's Chief Constable, Jo Farrell, said: “These awards are testament to the dedication to public service and professionalism our officers show right across the country, day in, day out.

“I offer my warmest congratulations to Carol and Faroque for this deserved recognition of their significant contribution to policing.

“I would also like to recognise the honour awarded to Jodie for her commitment and compassion serving policing and our communities in Scotland and beyond.”