Current timestamp: 01/02/2023 11:32:32
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

essex-logo-217

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

DI Michelle Stoten honoured by the Home Secretary

Main article content

Navigation

News

11:30 06/09/2022

Michelle_ stoten_ home_ secretary_commendation_ 1024
Di Michelle Stoten receives her commendation from Home Secretary Priti Patel

Detective Inspector Michelle Stoten has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to home affairs with a commendation from outgoing Home Secretary Priti Patel.

She received her award at Lancaster House in London at a ceremony to mark the exceptional work of individuals in policing, the fire service, community organisations and the civil service.

It's the second major honour Michelle has collected in the past year after being presented with the Queen’s Policing Medal by Prince Charles in October.

Michelle leads the family liaison team for Operation Melrose, the investigation into the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants found in a lorry in Grays in 2019.

She worked with the Vietnamese government and law enforcement and enlisted the help of translators and experienced family liaison officers (FLOs) to gain the trust of the grieving families.

Michelle oversaw a visit to Vietnam in February 2020 where our FLOs met the victims' families face-to-face for the first time.

Her dedication and compassion ensured each victim and their family were treated with dignity and respect. Currently Michelle and her team are working to repatriate victims’ belongings to their families.

Four men were jailed for a total of 78 years and four months for offences ranging from manslaughter to people smuggling and conspiring to bring people into the country unlawfully.

In August, Marius Mihai Draghici, 48, was detained by Romanian police in the city of Bucharest following the execution of a European Arrest Warrant in connection with the case.

Michelle_ stoten_ home_ secretary_group_ 1024
DI Stoten and fellow police officers with the Home Secretary

Reflecting on her recognition, Michelle said: “I was very surprised but humbled as not many people have been singled out for their work on Melrose.

“Melrose will always be close to hearts of everyone who worked on it. It has been like no other investigation in terms of the scale, complexity, and the emotional impact.

“I am indebted to the dedicated team of family liaison officers and family liaison coordinators - it was a huge team effort.

“I feel honoured to have worked on the investigation and lead the areas I have to do the best we could for the families in such a terrible set of circumstances.”

Speaking the event, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “It is impossible for me adequately to express my gratitude to all those who have made truly outstanding contributions in keeping our communities safe or making our country a better place.

“It is only right to recognise the exceptional efforts and courage of these people. This commendation says to the world that what they do is important, vital and absolutely valued.”

Do you fit the bill?

At Essex Police, we value difference, and know that we’re strongest when we all work together.

If you share our values and want to protect and serve our communities, why not join us?

Apply now and start your new career in 2023. If you apply by 5 January you could starting your fully-paid training in March.

If you think you could protect and serve the people of Essex, either as a police officer, member of staff or volunteer, why not see if you #FitTheBill? Visit our careers page to find out more.

Share

  • Colchester: Distillery Lane murder investigation
  • Westcliff: Woman jailed over false rape claims
  • Uttlesford: Bleed control kits donated in memory of Liam Taylor
  • Man charged with attempted car robberies
  • Braintree: Rayne Road Fire
  • National Inclusion Week is Monday 26th September – Sunday 2nd October
  • National Police Memorial Day
  • Braintree: Man arrested in connection with Porters Field assault

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Essex Police

  • Contact us
  • About us
  • Careers
  • News
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.