King's Birthday Honours List 2024 - Laurence East

We are delighted and proud to announce that a devoted and inspirational officer of Thames Valley Police has received a British Empire Medal as part of the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Police Sergeant Laurence East has been recognised for his exceptional courage and conspicuous devotion to duty to continue serving TVP despite a diagnosis of terminal cancer.

Laurence got into policing in 2002 after joining a friend – and fellow officer - on a ride along and realising how amazing a role with the police looked.

During his time with TVP, Laurence has enjoyed working all over the force, meeting lots of different people.

Sadly in September 2020, Laurence was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and underwent chemotherapy.

The father-of-four said: “It was pretty tough and it is just not what you want to be told.”

So, he decided he would fundraise, help others and spread awareness of both the disease and the mental health struggles that it comes with.

And he has made incredible achievements, raising thousands for charity.

He initially set up a Shield Run challenge, running a mile a day for a month in full police protective equipment weighing 17kg and raised an amazing £16,000 for Pancreatic Cancer.

He helped an injured military veteran, in his wheel chair, to the top of the tallest mountain in the Brecon Beacons and in doing so helped raise £6,000 for a new more suitable wheelchair, thus vastly improving the veteran’s quality of life.

Laurence also helped a fireman with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) by fundraising for vital equipment.

He undertook the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales where he raised £3,000 for charity.

On World Cancer Day, Laurence climbed the tallest mountain in England with friends and family.

He also completed the Devices to Westminster canoe race, raising £2,000 to help emergency service workers struggling with their mental health.

He supported police widow Lissie Harper in walking 20 miles carrying the weight of her late husband and our colleague, PC Andrew Harper, and raised £3,700.

Laurence walked 103 miles along the South Downs Way and walked 87 miles across the Ridgeway, raising funds for various charities.

He went to Norway, with a charity, and walked over mountains for three days and canoed for five days down the Fjords, leading a team including those with MND, Cancer, severe burns, PTSD and military amputees.

In addition, he attended the Royal Marine Training Centre and aided a former serviceman -who is wheel chair bound – to complete the nine mile Commando Speed March, raising funds so the serviceman could have a supported holiday.

Laurence has helped spread awareness of pancreatic cancer, giving talks to many organisations.

He selflessly seeks out opportunities to help others from improving their knowledge and skillset through to their quality of like. 

“I was surprised,” he said, upon receiving the BEM.

“I have been very lucky to meet lots of people and work all over the force.

“I am very privileged.

“I have laughed every day on the job.

“There is always something, even on the worst jobs. I have laughed every day.”

Laurence, who was made an ambassador of the Curtis Palmer Program, a police charity that he says he is very passionate about, added: “I am lucky to be involved with the Curtis Palmer Program which was set up after a police officer from Dorset who had brain cancer.

“Now it is a charity in its own right and helps officers who may be dealing with anxiety or stress get back to work.

“I have a passion for Curtis Palmer Program.”

Laurence also said that none of this would have been possible without the support of his loving wife Amy East, who has been a nurse of 24-years.

Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg said: “I am delighted for Laurence, he has shown exceptional courage and devotion as an officer and I have huge admiration for all he has done to raise awareness and fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer.

“I offer my congratulations to Laurence on behalf of all their Thames Valley Police colleagues and our partners.”

Thank you, Laurence, for your continued devotion to Thames Valley Police; you are inspirational.

HA