John Burrow CBE, OBE

Areas of Interest

Law

Honorary Award

Honorary Master of Arts, 1994

Biography

John Burrow joined the Metropolitan police in 1958, quickly rising through the ranks, and by 1972 was Chief Superintendent, Central London. In 1977 he took up the position of Assistant Chief Constable with Merseyside Police and in 1983 became Deputy Chief Constable of Merseyside. In 1988 he was appointed Chief Constable of Essex Police. Early in his career John was awarded a Bramshill Scholarship to University College London where he obtained an LLB Honours Degree. He was President of the Association of Chief Police Officers from 1992-1993. Throughout his career he made a great efforts to encourage the development of education and training within the police service, and he was particularly successful in promoting close co-operation between Essex Police and our University. His professionalism, integrity and his dedication to duty led to a number of honours awards including an OBE, a CBE in 1993 and The Queen's Police Medal in 1998.

In 1994 John Burrow was awarded the Honorary degree of Master of Arts.

Citation

"John Burrow was born in Lancaster. His is married with three children and three grandchildren. He resides with his wife in the Braintree area of Essex. 

He joined the Metropolitan police on 28 April 1958 and was promoted to Sergeant in 1963, Inspector in 1967 and Chief Inspector in 1971. In 1972 he was promoted to Superintendent at Wimbledon and Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent in Central London in 1975. On 1 August 1977 he was appointed as an Assistant Chief Constable in the Merseyside Police and subsequently became Deputy Chief Constable of Merseyside on 1 February 1983. He left Merseyside upon his appointment as Chief Constable of Essex Police on 1 February 1988.

During his service he attended the Special Course at the Police Staff College, Bramshill from September 1963 to September 1964, receiving a Certificate of Merit and also being awarded a Bramshill Scholarship to University College London, which he attended from October 1964 to July 1967. He obtained an LLB Hons Degree.

Mr Burrow was President of the Association of Police Officers from October 1992 to October 1993. During his Presidency he strove to improve the media profile of ACPO, its co-ordination and also the progressive nature of the service's internal reforms. He Ws involved in discussions with the Home Secretary and Home Office personnel as well as Sir Patrick Sheehy whilst the Sheehy Report (Inquiry into Police Responsibilities and Rewards) and White Paper were being drawn up in relation to the Police and Magistrates Courts Bill.

Mr Burrow, who already held the OBE, was awarded the CBE in HM the Queen's Birthday Honours in 1993.

John Burrow has done much to foster education and training in the police service and in particular to develop close training co-operation between Essex Police and the University. It is therefore with great pleasure that the University awards John Halcrow Burrow the Honorary Degree of Master of Arts."