James Dalgleish – known as “Kenny” to most of his friends after the well-known Scottish football player and manager – has been made an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for his services to defence policing.
Please give us a brief history of your career
I joined the Royal Navy in 1977, where I was given the nickname that has stuck ever since. I spent most of my career in the submarine service until I left in 2002. Two days later, I joined the Ministry of Defence Police where I was based at Aldermaston. In 2004 I joined the marine unit as a police constable, was promoted to sergeant in 2008, took on a temporary inspector role in 2018 and was confirmed as inspector in 2021.
What particularly stands out from your time in the service?
In 2011 I served in Afghanistan, training and mentoring the Afghan police and the chief of police at an outpost called Babaji. That experience changed my outlook and my leadership style. It was very demanding and – real. You had to think on your feet. Afterwards, I returned to the marine unit and stayed there ever since before deciding to retire this year.
What is next for you?
I have volunteered to act as a trustee for Home Start, an organisation that offers practical and emotional support to families with young children, supporting naval and other families, because, as I approach retirement, I want to give back to the community. I also help Afghan families on a voluntary basis.
How did it feel to be recognised with an MBE?
I was surprised because I didn’t feel I had done more than anyone else in our service. However, the Ministry of Defence Police gave me a can-do environment to try out ideas, some of which are now in use. For example we introduced a boarding team – a specialised group that boards and inspects vessels at sea. But we could not get it signed off because of the risk. I analysed the issues, removed the dangerous elements and made it acceptable. It is now operational in Scotland and is being rolled out elsewhere. I also helped trial a vessel-stopping system, worked on the long-range acoustic device and I brought my submarine-sonar expertise to develop a swimmer detection system that we are the only police force in the UK to use.
Do you have any messages for DPF members and colleagues?
I see this award not as mine alone but as belonging to the whole team in the Clyde Marine Unit and the wider Ministry of Defence Police. I have not done this on my own; my colleagues have supported me ever since the day I joined. I carry this honour on behalf of all of them.
