A Bay of Plenty police officer has been recognised in the New Year Royal Honours list for services to New Zealand police and the community.

Inspector Anna Jackson is one of three police recipients on the list, and becomes an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Inspector Anna Jackson becomes an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Currently the Acting National Manager, Police Professional Conduct, Inspector Jackson joined the force in January 1984 and was the first woman officer to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant, Senior Sergeant and Inspector in Rotorua.

She's is the former head of Rotorua's Road Policing Unit, has represented Police on community safety committees, and has been involved with equal opportunities issues and professional standards since 2005.

Also a long-term member of the Bay of Plenty District Equity and Diversity Committee, Anna represents her district on women's issues and has been in charge of the district's Professional Conduct team since 2009 and is a national advocate in ethics training.

Inspector Jackson has been praised for her work on a United States-funded deployment to Baguio City in the Philippines to train officers in community policing, ethics and human rights.

Outside of work, Anna has been actively involved in voluntary community service for a local early childhood centre, a primary and secondary school, Kaharoa Community Association and Hall Committee, church and youth work.

The other recipients on the honours list are Superintendent Dave Trappitt from Police National Headquarters, who also becomes an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and Sergeant Bill Nicholson of Central Police District, who becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.