Alex Murray OBE, Director of Threat Leadership with The National Crime Agency, is to become an honorary doctor in recognition of his outstanding contribution to both the regional and national policing landscape.
Alex began his career with West Midlands Police, working in investigative and uniform roles in Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. He has since held several senior positions, championing research and new technologies to improve police practices.
This includes founding the UK’s Society of Evidence Based Policing (SEBP) and Alex has led several randomised control trials on out of court disposals, anti-social behaviour, burglary and behavioural science.
He has delivered training in evidence-based practice around the world, including India and Cambodia, as well as having articles published in multiple journals.
In recognition of this work, Alex was inducted into the Evidence Based Policing Hall of Fame in 2014 and has received a National Superintendent’s Award for Policing Excellence. He was also awarded an OBE in 2019 for his outstanding services to policing and was appointed the National Police Chief Constables Council’s first lead for Artificial Intelligence last year.
As Deputy Chief Constable and then Temporary Chief of West Mercia Police, Alex was a strong supporter of the collaboration between the force and University of Staffordshire, developing new recruits to policing through the Regional PEQF partnership.
In particular, he has championed student officer research and in support provided the keynote address at the University’s inaugural GradEX event that showcased projects by the region’s Police Constable Degree Holders.
Alex will be awarded the honorary degree during University of Staffordshire’s Autumn graduation ceremonies, which take place at its flagship Catalyst building in Stoke-on-Trent, from 11 to 14 November.
Professor Martin Jones, Vice-Chancellor of University of Staffordshire, said: “Like all of our honorary doctors, Alex shares our University’s mission to transform places, people, and society for the better.
“He has dedicated his career to developing and improving policing for the benefit of the public he serves. This award also recognises Alex’s role in supporting the next generation of policing professionals, many of whom have studied right here at University of Staffordshire.
“We look forward to welcoming Alex to our University community and I’ve no doubt that he will serve as a huge inspiration to our class of 2025 at our graduation ceremonies next month.”