Wiltshire’s policing family has reason to celebrate, as Special Constable Damien Penman has been awarded the prestigious British Empire Medal in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours for his remarkable contribution to policing.
For many, police work conjures images of flashing lights, rapid response units, and arrests. But behind the scenes, quiet innovation can often make the difference between success and failure – especially when lives hang in the balance. This is where SC Penman’s work has quietly revolutionised Wiltshire Police’s ability to locate missing people swiftly and efficiently.
Working within the force’s Digital Investigations and Intelligence Unit (DIIU), SC Penman applied his technical expertise to create a web-based tool that allows officers to upload cell site data and instantly map it virtually. In plain terms, it means that information from mobile networks can now be processed more quickly, helping teams pinpoint the likely whereabouts of vulnerable missing persons.
Speaking modestly about the honour, SC Penman said, “I joined as a Special to help people and save lives. This work is simply an extension of that. The technology we’ve built directly assists frontline officers during some of the most high-risk situations we face.”
And his contribution doesn’t end with software development. In addition to his technical role, SC Penman is also a trained Blue Light response driver and a qualified police drone pilot. This unique combination allows him to respond directly to live incidents, blending technology with practical fieldwork.
He added, “We’re now exploring how our understanding of radio frequency data can be combined with drone capabilities to strengthen our missing persons searches even further. The potential to save more lives drives everything we do.”
SC Penman’s achievements have not gone unnoticed within policing circles. In January 2024, Wiltshire’s Chief Constable recognised his efforts with a local Innovation in Policing Award. That was followed by regional success, as he won the Innovation in Policing Award at the South West Regional Volunteer Awards in October 2024. National recognition followed when he secured second place in the same category at the Home Office Lord Ferrers Awards held in London last December.
Receiving the British Empire Medal caps off a year of deserved accolades for SC Penman, whose work highlights the ever-evolving face of modern policing – one where technology and humanity go hand in hand to protect the vulnerable.
