New Year Honours: KPMs for former senior South Wales Police officers

Two long-serving South Wales Police officers have been recognised with King’s Police Medals in the New Year honours.

Mark Travis and Danny Richards, who have each now retired after a combined six decades of service, receive a KPM apiece for their distinguished policing service.

During his time as assistant chief constable, Mark Travis – who demonstrated his commitment to keeping the views of the victim at the forefront – was a driving force behind public organisations in Wales signing up to the Charter for Families Bereaved by Public Tragedy, committing them to responding to public tragedies with openness, transparency and accountability.

A launch event was held in Merthyr in March 2025, attended by the bereaved and survivors of public tragedies including Aberfan, Hillsborough, Grenfell Tower and Manchester Arena.

Meanwhile, Danny Richards – a career detective in Cardiff who rose to the rank of temporary assistant chief constable – has been recognised for work including his focus on building stronger and closer relationships between South Wales Police and local communities.

His citation also recognised his efforts to tackle misogyny, and in helping establish the force’s Association of Muslim Police and, following the events of October 7, 2023, the leadership and compassion he showed in his work with the Jewish community.

Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan said:

“I am delighted to hear that Mark and Danny have been recognised for their years of service to people across South Wales and beyond. Both are worthy recipients for their decades of work on behalf of communities and victims of crime.
“Both have now retired from policing, but the positive impact they have had will endure for a long time to come. I am grateful for everything they did in their careers and offer them both my congratulations for being awarded the King’s Police Medal.”