Thursday 22 October 2015

Death of a retired Police Officer : PC Ronald M. Storey

Digital StillCameraIt is with sadness that we record the death of a retired Police Officer : PC Ronald M STOREY who died on  September 6th, aged 79 years.
Ron joined Durham Constabulary in September 1956 and after leaving Training at HQ he served at Chester-le-Street, Felling, Heworth Colliery, Motor Patrols/Traffic, Meadowfield, and Bowburn retiring from Court Office, Durham on 4th March 1983.
Ron was a  dearly loved dad, father-in-law, grandad and great-grandad.

His funeral service took place in Durham Crematorium on Friday, September 11th at 3.30p.m.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Wednesday 21 October 2015

Death of a retired Police Officer : PC 145 Sandra Victoria Winter

It is with regret that we have to announce the death of a retired Police Officer : PC 145 Sandra Victoria Winter who died on 14th October 2015, aged 58 years.
Sandra joined Durham Constabulary on 26th June 1975 and served until 31st January 1984.
The funeral service is not private and will be at 11.30 on Friday 30th October 2015 at King Charles the Martyr Church on Church Street in Falmouth. Postcode is TR11 3DX
Our thoughts are with her friends and family at this sad time.

Tuesday 20 October 2015

HMIC Assessment (PEEL Report)

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Durham Constabulary is the top performing Force in the country after receiving the highest possible gradings by inspectors.
 
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) carried out the latest element of the Annual Assessment of Policing in England and Wales 2014 (the PEEL Report).

The inspections, which are part of a rolling programme, looked at how efficient forces are at keeping people safe and reducing crime.

This was broken down to three areas. Durham Constabulary was graded “outstanding” – the highest grade - in each area.

It is the only force in the country to achieve this.

The HMIC report said: “HMIC found that Durham Constabulary is exceptionally well prepared to face its future financial challenges.

“HMIC found that the constabulary has a comprehensive understanding of the demand for its services and is using innovative ways of working to manage demand, with widespread joint problem-solving with other local organisations.

“The constabulary has an impressive track record of robust financial management, accurate budgeting and achieving planned savings.”

Durham currently holds two “outstandings” and a “good” as part of previous inspections for effectiveness.

This means that out of a possible six areas, the Force has received five “outstandings” and one “good” – the best of any force in the country.

Chief Constable Mike Barton said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have received these gradings.

“It is down to the hard work of everyone who works or volunteers for Durham Constabulary that we are in such an enviable position and they should take the credit.

“At a time when we are operating amongst the continuing bite of austerity, it is heart-warming that we are recognised in this way.

“Now for the hard work, to maintain our success. But I have every confidence that our talented people will do just that.” 

Ron Hogg, Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner said: “In my role as Police and Crime Commissioner, I am required to ensure our residents receive an efficient and effective policing service. The last two HMIC PEEL inspections have seen Durham the only Force in the country to receive five outstanding grades out of six, with the remaining one graded as good.
 
“This outcome is a testament to the tremendous hard work throughout the whole of Durham Constabulary, from the leadership right through to the front line, including the vital assistance we receive from our statutory partners, the voluntary sector and our communities.”

Wednesday 14 October 2015

PD Nero & PC 1882 Arthur Charlton

PD Nero & Arthur CharltonPD Nero is pictured here with his handler PC 1482 Arthur Charlton who was a handler for 26 years & an instructor for 3 before he retired in 1993. (The information & photos used have been kindly passed to us by his Granddaughter & taken from an email she sent the PawsUp ‘team’).
Nero was born in 1976 and was a county bred puppy, with the Kennel Name ‘Aycliffe Pedro’….Granddad (Arthur)changed his name to Nero so he wouldn’t have to shout PEDRO in public!
Nero was given to my Granddad in 1977 when he was 3 months old and he served as a general purpose dog until 1986 when he retired after suffering an injury to his front left paw after jumping from a high wall. He then went to live with the Landlord at the Black Bull Pub in Ferryhill with another Police Dog, Lance (who was twice the size of Nero!)
Nero also took part in many competitions and won the Additional Police Dog Trials in 1982. Nero once went missing after taking part in a search and rescue; a girl found him in the woods and tried to take him back into Bishop Auckland. To the girl’s surprise, Nero (apparently) recognised where he was and found the Police Station and barked until someone came to find him! Quite clever for a dog who thought eating a plastic beef burger was a good idea; and who thought he could fit a garden clothes prop through a door…lengthways!

For more information on our retired Police dogs and PD Nero please visit our retired Police Dogs  PawsUp website at www.pawsup.org.uk

Details of the PawsUp 2016 Xmas calendar will be circulated as soon as we have the information.

Federation Magazines available to view

  August 2015   September 2015  

Federation magazines for the months August & September have been updated on the website

To view these magazines please CLICK HERE to go to the Federation page of the website and then click on the individual month to read the magazine

PCC'S Celebration Of Superheroes

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Local people will have the chance to find out more about the work of our real-life superheroes, at an event hosted by Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg.

The event is free, with free parking, and will be held on Saturday 31st October at Sedgefield Racecourse from 10am – 4pm. It will showcase and raise awareness of all the good work that is happening in our local communities.

All emergency services, including the police, fire service, ambulance, mountain rescue and coast guard are attending, so that families can get involved in exciting activities and see demonstrations from real life local superheroes.

Other community safety organisations who make a difference to people’s everyday lives will also be on hand with fun family activities and to provide information and advice, giving families and individuals a better understanding of what they do and how they can help.

Activities and demonstrations include police vehicles, dog displays, fire engine aerial platform rides, traffic collision rescue display, a children's Crime Scene Investigation treasure hunt, Halloween and superhero fancy dress competition, bouncy castle, police dogs Jet & Ben, soft play, ball pool, competitions with prizes and much more.

For further details please ring Tel: 03000 26463 or email to : enquiries@durham-pcc.gov.uk

Change of Rules for Retired Officers at Police Treatment Centres

Police TreatmentPlease see message received from the Police Treatment Centres on the 6th October :
”Dear Colleague,
As you will hopefully be aware the Board of Trustees directed on 1st August 2015 that if Retired Officers wish to access free treatment at the Police Treatment Centres (PTC) from 1st January 2016 that they must be signed up to the PTC as a current donor.
Attached to this email are two documents – the first a letter that has been sent out to all retired officers that have visited the centre, detailing the change in policy, and the second a Direct Debit Form which officers can complete to start donating to the charity, and therefore be eligible to receive free treatment.
Please can you distribute these documents to your members.”

Copies of the documents and further information can be found on our website, www.thepolicetreatmentcentres.org
The Police Treatment Centres

To view/download /print the required forms please click on the links below :

Retired Officer Sign Up Form

Retired Police Officer Sign Up Details Letter

If you have previously visited the Police Treatment Centres as a retired officer you will already have received this correspondence direct from them.

Friday 9 October 2015

Revised commutation factors

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The following message has been received by Durham NARPO from David Devine of Pay & Pensions

“Durham Pay and Pensions branch have received the official spreadsheet that is to be used for calculating revised lump sums and interest payments
This is currently being completed and once complete will  be returned to GAD for checking
Before any payment can be made all affected pensioners will be required to complete a disclaimer in respect of claims in respect of the revised factors. The Home Office have, on 28/8/2015, advised that no disclaimer should be issued until they have provided advice on its content. To date (8/10/2015) this advice has not been received
As the payment cannot be made until the disclaimers are signed off by the individual pensioners no date has yet been set for making the payment.”
Regards
David

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