LEWISHAM’S former police chief has been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his partnership work with the community.

Chief Superintendent Mike Humphrey, who served as the borough’s commander between 1996 and 2002, has been appointed an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the community.

Chief Supt Humphrey left his post as Lewisham borough commander in November 2002 to head the Metropolitan Police’s Transport Operational Command Unit .

He said: “While personally for me this is both a great honour and privilege, I believe it is also testimony to all the hard work, enthusiasm and commitment shown by my team at Lewisham during the six years I worked there and the members of the community with whom we enjoyed a positive and productive relationship.

“I’m pleased our work made a difference for the local community.

“I am pleased to see the partnership between the police and the local community continues and is going from strength to strength.” His successor at Lewisham, Chief Superintendent Archie Torrance, says he is delighted about the honour for his former boss.

He said: “I am very pleased he has been recognised for his service to the Met and, in particular, his tremendous work at Lewisham over the last six years.

“His OBE reflects the hard work of all the staff in Lewisham borough and I’m proud to be leading such a committed team.”