A RECENTLY-RETIRED detective – who led high-profile investigations and cold cases – has been nationally recognised for her outstanding career.
The British Association for Women in Policing (BAWP) has honoured former Humberside Police Detective Superintendent Dena Fleming with a lifetime achievement award.
She will accept the prestigious honour in the BAWP Awards 2013 ceremony at Cardiff on June 11.
Mrs Fleming, who hails from Hessle and went to school locally, retired from the force last summer, ending her career as the head of Major Investigation Teams responsible for murder and serious crime.
She had worked particularly hard on developing expertise in historical cold case crimes and was fundamental in gaining the successful prosecution of numerous offenders for serious sexual assaults committed years ago.
In North East Lincolnshire, she worked on various cases, including child abduction and raids on suspected brothels.
She was also the head of the specially-trained team which deals with so-called honour crimes in this region.
The BAWP awards recognise the contributions and achievements of women within the police service and this year will be the seventh annual awards.
Mrs Fleming joined Humberside Police as a cadet aged 17 and at 18 became a regular full-time officer.
She transferred to Lincolnshire Police in 1986 but returned to Humberside in 1998, where she spent the last 14 years of her career.
A nationally-accredited senior investigating officer as well as a wife, mother and grandmother, Mrs Fleming said receiving the national award has given her a "fantastic sense of achievement".
"I am immensely proud of my career in the police service and of the young people who are continuing to do the job today," she said.
"I have witnessed the most harrowing of scenes, dealt with so very many victims of crime and put a large number of bad people behind bars.
"It has been hugely challenging both internally and externally, but I have got great professional and personal satisfaction from my role as a police officer over the past 32 years.
"To be nominated and to receive this national award from the British Association of Women Police Officers has given me a fantastic sense of achievement.
"I am absolutely delighted to be honoured in this way and would like to thank all those people who have worked for me and with me over the years, and all those who believed in me. Given the choice I would do it all again."
ON THE WEB: Share your celebrations with the Grimsby Telegraph. Visit www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk, e-mail newsdesk@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk or call 01472 372236.
