Name that car ??

JGR687T, Call sign, crew, where was it based, did you drive a one ??

Leave a comment and tell more about them

One from 1984

This photograph was taken at Durham Castle during the visit of HRH Princess Anne to Mackay's Carpet Factory and the Castle on 4th April 1984.

L to R : PC 756 Peter Todd, Sgt 293 Duncan Adamson, Chief Superintendent Alf Charlton, PC 1017 Brian Jones, PC 1660 Joe Butters and PC 903 John Knaggs.
(Many Thanks to Brian Jones for supplying the photo)

Death of a retired Police Officer : Insp George Vasey

It is with regret that we have to inform you of the death of retired Insp. George Vasey, who died on 17th May 2013 aged 95 years.
Mr Vasey retired from Durham Constabulary on 5th January 1964.

Two from Traffic South

Two pictures that turned up via FaceBook and came to our attention..

Ford Granada : NGR71T – Alpha Red 44 out of Spennymoor

Picture shows Bob Brown on crewmate Martin Hall’s drive at Spennymoor. The opposite crew of Martin & Bob were Keith Maddison & Brian Stabler, who are sadly no longer with us.

Ford Escort XR3i  : A278BJR– Mike 10 out of Darlington

Crewed by Ian Bestford & John Laidlaw & ???

Another XR3i, A277BJR was based at Peterlee, call sign possibly AR47 and crewed by Barry Cowie & Ken Arthur / Mal Thomas & Neil Walton

Who’s on the police bike and where was this taken ??

Copper Plate : Spring 2013 (Issue 89)

Spring 2013 edition of Copper Plate can be viewed by clicking on the image.

You can view older editions of Copper Plate by clicking on the menu bar above or by CLICKING HERE

Death of retired Police Officer : Det.Sgt 386 Lawrence Hodgson

It is with regret that we have to inform you of the death of retired Police Officer 386, Lawrence Hodgson, who died on 11th May 2013 aged 87yrs.
Mr Hodgson retired from Durham Constabulary on the 20th April 1977.

4th Retirees Reunion and Social Afternoon

Don’t Miss Out This Year! Read this carefully, NOW!
The 4th Retirees Reunion and Social Afternoon Spectacular at Durham Constabulary, H.Q., Aykley Heads, on Sunday 30th June, 2013 -  1.30pm to 5pm
Durham Constabulary and Durham Branch of N.A.R.P.O. invite ALL members of Durham Constabulary police and police support staff- both retired and serving to come along to this amazingly enjoyable social afternoon. A great deal of hard work, planning and co-ordination between the Strategic Development Team and your N.A.R.P.O. Committee to be sure that this year’s event will be even better than in the Olympic Year.

The majority of you, who have attended in previous years I know will be coming again – if you know of past colleagues who are not aware of the event – please tell them – they will be most welcome

There will be live entertainment by the Durham Constabulary Band and Choir; exciting demonstrations by the Dog Section, (emergencies excepted), the National Police Air Service Helicopter and its very interesting crew; displays by Durham H.Q. Archives; N.A.R.P.O. & The Blue. Then there are the true stars of the day, yourselves come along and meet old colleagues, tell your war stories” (if you can remember them) and best of all be part of the very friendly atmosphere that us old ‘uns’ can generate among each other.

Light refreshments will be provided and a super raffle organized and contributed by NARPO. The unique souvenir programme which can house your personal photograph taken on arrival- this has always proven to be very popular memento of the occasion.

Please Note: Admission is by ticket only & tickets are free.

PLEASE order quickly – strict and final closing date is 20th June 2013. So if you want to be part of the action – act now! Remember: No ticket – no entry!
N.A.R.P.O. Members including widows please order from:
Mrs Angie Crawford, 8, Warwick Place, Peterlee, SR2 2EZ. Tel. 0191 518 0996.
E-mail: angiechilton@yahoo.com
Non- NARPO Retired officers and Retired Police Support Staff please order from:
Mr Colin Appleby21, Lea Rigg, West Rainton, Houghton le Spring, DH4 6SR.
Tel. 0191 584 6178. E-mail appleby.colin@btinternet.com.
Serving Police Support Staff & Serving Officers – please order from:
Amanda Dodds or Amanda Hodgson. H.Q. Strategic Development Team

Durham Peeler–Summer 2013

Chairman Alan Watson has once again been hard at work over the past few months putting together the latest edition of the Durham Peeler.

Click on the image to go to the Durham Peeler webpage where you can then click on the images of the Peeler and either read them online or download them to your own computer in pdf format

Members will shortly receive their printed editions through the letterbox.

If any of our readers has a story that you would like put into print, in the Durham Peeler then please email us on durhamnarpo@gmail.com and we will forward your details to the Editor – Alan Watson

EPIC : LEAVING OR RETIRING SOON?

While some settle immediately into full retirement some others enter into new phase of their lives.

For those that have already switched or for those that are thinking of beginning a new career in the security or private investigation sectors help is at hand in the form of EPIC (Ex Police in Industry and Commerce) It’s aims are to provide a business networking organisation exclusively for former police officers who can meet the highest standards of "integrity assured” candidature and pass the strictest vetting processes. The service is available to those both in the public and private sector who are employed or self employed 

EPIC was established in 1979 and is the only business networking association for former officers of all ranks. All members are vetted prior to enrolment so as to comply with the organisation strap line of “Integrity assured” Members are both employed and self employed and enjoy a range of benefits

It holds regional meetings, conferences and has a sophisticated software platform, designed to drive new business to members and to have members support each other.  The ethos of continuous professional development is promoted.  

All members are entitled to use the EPIC Brand logo in their business and personal lives .EPIC considers itself to be part of the wider Police family. 

It is also a provider of training, and particularly transition training for those leaving the police service, who want to continue in a second career, or engage in industry and commerce in their own business ventures.  

EPIC also aims to be involved in consultative processes prior to regulatory impact assessments, and to represent members views in industry forums.   

Members were traditionally involved in investigations and security, but now the organisation hosts all skill sets on a business to business context within industry and commerce, and so, consultancy, in all its disciplines, and specialists in HR, marketing, leadership, business and corporate support and a range of allied specialism’s are well represented.  

We welcome all ranks, but senior status in the police service will not attract senior status within EPIC as all members are evenly represented in a business context. Eligibility is by previous UK police service, even to those who have left early and had their pension entitlement deferred, or those who have full pension entitlement

Membership benefits include;

• An online discussion forum
• Peer networking
• A recognised industry body
• Free legal helpline
• Free fraud helpline
• Free health and safety helpline
• The use of the Integrity assured logo on business correspondence

EPIC is both a stepping stone and mentor organisation through the transitioning period of change for those coming into the industry

Regular meetings are held throughout the country with presentations on topical issues and subjects to keep members abreast on new developments in security, crime investigation and prevention techniques and forensic and physical security

Further information can be obtained from the organisation web site

www.epic-uk.com

or contact Colin Gibson via email :  colin.gibson@tnt.co.uk

Death of a retired Police Officer : Sergeant 58 Michael James (Jim) Farthing

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Sergeant 58 Michael James (Jim) Farthing, who died on the 29^th March 2013 aged 87 years.
He leaves a widow Rita May and son Michael.
He retired from Durham Constabulary in 1973 and then returned as police staff until his full retirement in 1990.

HQ Traffic Branch - 1972

Many Thanks to Alan Hutchinson / Harry Clark for providing this photo of Traffic Branch 1972.

Double click on the image to view it in the gallery at a larger size…

Back Row : Sgt Terrington, Sgt Hillary,Sgt Colgrave, Sgt Jones, PC Dent, PC Scot, PC Naylor

Middle Row : Sgt Smith, Mary French, PW Fraser, G Smith,N.Parkinson, A Daglish, PW Bartley, Audrey Fidiam, PC Hall

Front Row : CI Kirkup, Supt Thompson, Supt Askew, C/Supt Harper, Supt Usher, CI Rutherford, Insp Dent.

If you can correct any of the names or give first names please send us an email to durhamnarpo@gmail.com

G4S EMPLOYMENT OFFERS DURING 2012 OLYMPICS

 

This message has been sent from NARPO Head Office :

Hi All,

I would be grateful if you would circulate the below to your members:

WERE YOU OFFERED EMPLOYMENT BY G4S DURING THE OLYMPICS?

As you are aware a large number of retired Police Officers were recruited by G4S to work in the lead up to and during the London Olympics.

Many of our members went through recruitment processes, vetting, accreditation and training stages but never received an offer of employment at the end of it and unfortunately Linder Myers Solicitors have informed us that those in that category will have no reasonable grounds to pursue a breach of contract claim against G4S.

However if you did receive a formal offer of employment from G4S which they accepted and then were let down with no actual employment forthcoming from them then you may have a claim against G4S for Breach of contract.

Should you fit into this category then please contact; Latham Parry at Linder Myers Solicitors on 0844 984 6448 or narpo@lindermyers.co.uk who will be pleased to consider individual/or a collective case should there be two or more claimants who come forward.

Dog Section : 1972

L to R - PC's Greener, Wood, Simpson. Chief Constable Puckering and PC's Hedges, Turner and Leng

You can see more of the Police Dogs and in particular PC Bill Leng & PD Major by visiting the Dog Section’s new Paws Up website which is a Benevolent Fund for retired Durham Police Dogs.

You can read all about it at www.pawsup.org.uk and can even help raise funds for the fund whilst shopping online by clicking on their EasyFundraising link

Life Savers : 1964/65

Neville House Life Saving Team, winners of the cadet life saving competition. . From left to right: Bill Brennan is just visible, Jim McKenna, Geoff Perry, Ray Johnson, Ted Roberts (instructor), Bill Lippit, and Ian Hilton. Believed to be 1964/5. A team picked from all the cadet school was subsequently entered as Durham County Cadets and won the Regional Life Saving Championship, this caused a bit of a stir as they beat regular force teams. The cadet team eventually competed in the national finals in London.

Death of retired Police Officer : PC 832 Charles Valentine Hedley

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Police Officer : PC 832 Charles Valentine Hedley, who died on the 4^th March 2013 aged 87 years.

Charles retired from Durham Constabulary in August 1981.

The funeral will be taking place at Wear Valley Crematorium on the 25^th March at 14:45, the service is not private.

Donations have been requested in lieu of flowers to the British Heart Foundation, cheques can be made payable to British Heart Foundation and can be forwarded to BHF Customer Service Centre, Lydon Place, 2096 Coventry Road, Sheldon, Birmingham, B26 3YU.

Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.

Death of a retired Police Officer : Inspector Leslie Matthews

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Police Inspector Leslie Matthews, who died on 5^th March 2013 aged 82 years.

He retired from Durham Constabulary on 19th October 1981.

He leaves a widow, Dorothy and a son Michael.

The funeral will take place at Darlington Crematorium on Monday 18^th March 2013 at 2.45pm. This service is not private.

Donations have been requested in lieu of flowers to Friends of Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.

AGM of Durham NARPO – Monday 18th March

Date for your Diary…….

Monday 18^th March at 1930hrs

The Annual General Meeting of Durham NARPO, with guest speakers from Force Executive and Federation.
All members welcome to attend and participate
Ideal time to meet your old colleagues and friends.
(Please put the date in your diary and see if you can attend, meet your committee and see the hard work they are doing for you)
The meeting will be held at the Durham Indoor Bowling Centre, Pity Me, Durham, DH1 5GE

View Durham Indoor Bowling Club in a larger map

Cadet Training 1973 : Girl Cadet Hockey Team

Girl Cadets Hockey Team, 1973, picture taken at Police HQ, Aykley Heads…

Where are they all now ??  Click on the picture to view it at a larger size in the photo gallery

Picture kindly supplied by Carol (Potts) & Tim Moore

The Police Treatment Centres Lottery

Every year it costs approximately £4m to run both of the Treatment Centres and with the falling numbers of serving officers, we find our donations going down accordingly and we must find new ways of raising money.  In order to raise more funds for our highly valued service we are starting our own lottery.
As a Retired Officer you may well have paid into The Police Treatment Centre all of your working life and are now entitled to free treatment at either of our Centres, which I do hope you take advantage of if you need our help.
We would very much appreciate your help in getting the lottery off the ground and wondered if you would be kind enough to help promote the lottery within your NARPO branch and indeed to anyone who would like to purchase a ticket?
The lottery is open to absolutely anyone to buy a ticket.  Tickets cost £1 each and will be drawn monthly with a first prize of £1000 with other cash prizes.
We are currently in the process of producing a lottery leaflet for promotional purposes as well as ensuring that the lottery entry form can be downloaded from our website.  The entry form will be part of the lottery leaflet and can be posted to our lottery organizer for entry.
We would be so grateful if you could help in any way promote the lottery by telling people in your branch and asking them if they would like to buy a ticket.
If you do feel able to help us, could you let me know and I will arrange to have some leaflets sent to you.
My contact details are below :
Amanda Carter
PR & Fundraising Manager
The Police Treatment Centres
01423 504 448

http://www.thepolicetreatmentcentres.org

Calling all Dog Section (K9)

Dear all,

I’m in the process of setting up a benevolent fund for our retired Durham Police dogs.
Part of this has involved launching a web site specifically for the fund and also covering aspects of the unit past and present, enabling some of its history to start being recorded too.

If you can (and would like to) help, .. I’m after any pictures / stories / articles of your ex serving dogs to put on the site.
A bit of history would help too – ie, when the dog served, how old when started / finished, gift dog or force bred, capabilities, DOB, etc etc….

Please have a look at the site at – www.pawsup.org.uk  but bear in mind it’s still a ‘work in progress’ and is not the finished article yet.
The fund is to be called ‘PAWS UP’ and will be launched properly May / June this year.

Give me a shout if you want any more information on 07867993077 or any email correspondence via durhampolicek9@gmail.com

Hoping you can assist ..

Many thanks

Ian Squire
Dog Support Unit

Please add Durham NARPO (durhamnarpo@gmail.com) to your contacts list

We have had a couple of queries from people on the notification list to the effect that they have not been receiving emails recently.

The emails are being sent out as normal and we have had none returned to us as undeliverable so we can only presume that they are getting caught up in your providers Spam Filter.

Please add Durham NARPO to your contacts list, with the email address of durhamnarpo@gmail.com and check your Spam Filter to make sure there are no emails in the Spam Box. If they have gone in there mark them as NOT Spam.

This is the advice that Google give to users :

Legitimate mail is marked as spam

If you find a message wrongly classified as spam, you can unmark the message. Just select the message, and click the Not Spam button that appears at the top and bottom of your current view. Unmarking a message will automatically move it to your inbox.

If you find that some senders' messages are consistently being mislabeled as spam, you can prevent this by:

• Adding their email addresses to your Contacts list. Gmail will deliver messages from members of your Contacts list to your inbox, unless we know with high confidence that they are spam.
  • Some messages sent from contacts which are very clearly spam can be sent directly to your Spam label. More importantly, in some cases messages from contacts will not be sent to Spam but will be marked with a red warning banner if the content is suspicious - for example, your friend's or contact's account has been compromised and used to send phishing messages.
• Creating a filter so the messages are never sent to Spam.

If you have not received any of the recent notifications, please drop us an email to durhamnarpo@gmail.com and we will send you a test email

Death of a retired Police Officer : DC 1541 John Reay

It is with regret that we announce the death of a retired Police Officer :  DC 1541 John REAY who died on 24^th February 2013 aged 68 years.
John retired from Durham Constabulary on the 31^st August 1995.
He leaves a widow, Maureen, and two adult children Kevin and Karen.

Using 112 on Mobile Phones in an emergency

Police Cadets : 1969

Many thanks to Don Stephenson for sending in this picture from his Police Cadet days.

Picture of four Durham Police Cadets taken in 1969 when they were the first to go on a two week attachment to Minsteracres Monastery in Co Durham. Their job was to clear an area around the graves of two Brothers who had died recently.
Pictured from left to right.
Father Colum Devine, The Superior, Peter McNulty, Ronnie Fort, Don Stephenson and Peter Walton
Don went on to finish as a sergeant in Cleveland whilst Peter Walton finished as a sergeant in Northumbria. Anybody  know about Peter & Ronnie ?

Durham Constabulary Choir : 1973

 

Durham Constabulary Choir at Aykley Heads - 5th May 1973 (the day Sunderland won the FA Cup).

Guitarists : Neil Burn & Alan Chesterton. (Picture provided by Fraser Gill (Northumbria cadet in back row)

Any more info ??

Death of a retired Police Officer : PC Geoffrey (Geoff) Thomas Moody

It is with regret that we have to inform you of the death of a retired Police Officer, PC Geoffrey (Geoff) Thomas Moody, aged 71 years who died on Friday, 1^st February, 2013 in the Richardson Hospital, Barnard Castle.
Mr Moody joined Durham Constabulary in 1962 and retired on medical grounds around 1988-90.

Death of a retired Police Officer : PC 450 Dennis Robinson BEM

It is with regret that we announce the death of a retired Police Officer : PC 450 Dennis Robinson BEM, who died on 12th January 2013,  aged 89 years.
Dennis retired from Durham Constabulary  on the  26th October 1981

Death a retired Police Officer : Chief Inspector Richard Matthew (Matt) Hutchinson,

It is with deep regret that we have to inform you of the  death a retired Police Officer :  Chief Inspector Richard Matthew (Matt) Hutchinson, who died on the 24th January, 2013 in hospital, aged 95 years.
Matt joined Durham County Constabulary in 1938, followed by World War II service, resuming police duties and retiring in 1973 .

Help with pictures of Harperley Hall (1971–1980)

A request for some pictures from one of our readers. If any of you have any pictures of Harperley Hall, etc from this time (or suggest who might have), please can you forward via : durhamnarpo@gmail.com and we will publish on the site & in the gallery :

“Dear Sir/Madam,
I found your site fascinating seeing some faces I recognise from child hood.
I was brought up at Harperley Hall, Durham Constabulary's training facility and home at the time to the mounted branch and the police dogs , between 1971 to 1976 before moving to a Police house in near by Fir Tree village.
My father Bill Maltman, was a mounted officer and I was wondering if you have any more photos from Harperley Hall around the time 1971-1980.
My own family hear me talking about my childhood growing up with the excitement of Police horses and dogs and police cars being around but I've never been able to show them any photos.
Many thanks,
best regards,
Glenn “

Death of a retired Police Officer : Chief Inspector 235 John Reed

It is with regret that we announce the death or retired Chief Inspector 235 John Reed, who died on the 24th January 2013, aged 72.
John retired from Durham Constabulary on the 25th July 1993.

Death of a retired Police Officer : PC Lawrence Richardson

It is with regret that we have to inform you of the death of a retired Police Officer : PC Lawrence Richardson, who died on Wednesday 16th January 2013, at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary. Aged 92 years.
Lawrence retired from Durham Constabulary in 1973

Home Secretary approves radical overhaul of police pay and conditions

• Theresa May backs radical reform of pay and conditions
• New recruits will see starting salary cut from £23,259 to £19,000
• Controversial changes were drawn up by lawyer Tom Winsor
• Police Federation says it 'fails to reflect the dangers' of the job

The Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said the cut was 'ill-conceived and fails to reflect the dangers and demands inherent in the job'.

There was also widespread anger on social media sites used by officers. One wrote on Twitter: 'McDonalds starting salary £21.5k…'

Mrs May, the home secretary, said the starting salary for police constables in England and Wales will be cut by £4,000 to around £19,000 in the first major overhaul of police pay and conditions for more than 30 years.

She told MPs she was accepting the recommendations of the police arbitration tribunal which would help “modernise police pay and conditions so that they are fair to both officers and the taxpayer”.

Mrs May said she accepted the tribunal's recommendation that the salary for recruits with no experience, such as school-leavers, should be cut by 17 per cent, to £19,000.

Older recruits with relevant experience, such as a period as a special constable, will earn £22,000 a year. New recruits in London will earn a minimum of £21,000, which could rise to £25,500, if they live in an expensive part of the capital.

The move follows a landmark review of police pay and conditions by the former rail regulator Tom Winsor, who is now the first non-officer to hold the post of Chief Inspector of Constabulary, which angered rank-and-file officers.

Mrs May said: “Existing police pay and conditions were designed more than 30 years ago which is why we asked Tom Winsor to carry out his independent review.

“Police officers and staff deserve to have pay and workforce arrangements that recognise the vital role they play in fighting crime and keeping the public safe.”

The home secretary stressed that in reaching her decision she recognised that the police did not have the right to strike and the particular frontline role and nature of the office of constable.

But the home secretary has followed the recommendation of the police arbitration tribunal to delay a decision on the most controversial element of the Winsor package, which is the introduction of a system of making police officers compulsorily redundant for the first time.

The change was to be introduced from April giving discretion to chief constables struggling to make 23% cuts in police funding over three years. The home secretary has now given police staff associations and their employers until July to reach agreement on compulsory severance.

Elfyn Llwyd, a member of the Commons justice select committee, said the move was a “historical low”.

“These repeated attacks on funding for vital public services are counter-productive and grossly unfair,” he said.

“The police service throughout the UK does a fantastic job but both the reputation of these forces and the safety of communities are in jeopardy due to the Coalition's unsustainable budget cuts and proposed changes in working practices which will undermine the morale of hard-working officers.”

He added: “This is a historical low in terms of Government’s lack of respect for the police service and it will have far-reaching consequences including making it more difficult for the police to ensure that they are able to deal with crime and public order.”

Labour's police spokesman, David Hanson, said the £4,000 cut in starting pay could not be allowed to discourage the best quality candidates from coming forward.

"There is a real worry that the proposed starting salary for all police officers will damage the ability of police forces to recruit officers of the right skills and experience and directly contradicts the government's own wish to limit recruitment to those with three A-levels and recruit professional people from outside the police," he said.

"The other proposed changes will hit police morale further at a time when the Tory-led government are making cuts to the police force which go too far, too fast, with the loss of 15,000 police officers by 2015. I'm pleased there will be more discussion on the issue of severance packages and we will continue to discuss with police forces and staff in coming months what reforms are needed."

Keith Vaz, the chairman of the Commons home affairs select committee, said it was the wrong time to cut the pay of ordinary police officers.

"Morale in the police force is already at an all-time low and the landscape of policing is undergoing the most significant reform since Sir Robert Peel. If the home secretary wants her revolution in policing to be successful, she must carry the workforce with her," he said.

Steve Williams, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said officers were disappointed, but had agreed to be bound by the process involving the police negotiating board.

“Whilst we remain disappointed with some of the PAT’s recommendations we acknowledge that the Home Secretary has honoured the process of the Police Negotiating Board,” he said.

“We accept that today’s decision by the Home Secretary is binding on the Police Federation of England and Wales and we will continue to engage fully on behalf of our members.”

The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said it was essential that the system of pay and conditions recognised the professional status of policing and moved towards a system where pay levels rewarded expertise and contribution.

"Acpo was concerned about the starting salaries range proposed and the outcome of these negotiations means that chief constables will now have the flexibility to pay a starting salary of up to £22,000 depending on skills and qualifications. Officers can also reach the top rate of pay three years earlier than under the current arrangements," said the chief constables' statement.

"Police service funding has already been considerably reduced and further financial pressure lies ahead. Chief constables must have the means available to them to manage their workforce through these difficult times, even if that means taking steps that are unwelcome. The slow pace of progress through current pay machinery both hampers the ability to secure reform and prolongs uncertainty for officers and staff."

Memories of DS Jim McIntosh

Many Thanks to Ian McIntosh for sending us some pictures of his father, the late DS Jim McIntosh : http://www.durhamnarpo.com/2010/12/death-of-retired-police-officer-sgt.html

Back Row : Cliff Brown (Durham : Darlington), Brian Huscroft (Durham : Jarrow), Bill Paxton (Gateshead), Terry Denton (Hull City), Ray Cassie (Northumberland : Blyth), Jim Young (Durham : West Hartlepool), Malcolm Dalby (N.Riding : Southbank)

Middle Row : Don Glasper (Durham : West Hartlepool), John Hattersley (Durham : West Hartlepool), Jim McIntosh (Durham : Barnard Castle ) , Arthur Forrester (Durham : Seaham), Maurice Farn (Durham : Chester Le Street), Alan Dixon (Gateshead), Win Cole (Middlesbrough)

Front Row : Bill Webster (Newcastle), George Harrison (River Tyne), Sgt Santon (Durham), Mark Rannam (Newcastle), Ron Rochester (Newcastle)

Early 60’s Diving pictures, Jim is the diver on the right

Wakefield Detective Training School 1969.Middle Row  - Third from Left : Jim McIntosh (Durham)

Surveillance Course at Lancashire 1981 – Back row : DI Stan Bramfitt (Durham) & Third from left DS Jim McIntosh

To view the images in the NARPO gallery at a bigger size please click on them & if you know the names of anyone in the pictures please let us know

A couple of retired four legged friends (and their handler….)

Retired Durham Officer PC 566 Dave Davies sent us a couple of pictures of himself with two of his police dogs

Dave Davies with PD ‘ELLE’

Dave Davies with PD ‘MIKEY’

Dave transferred to Durham Constabulary from the Met Police on the 10^th May 1986 and transferred  dog section on the 4^th January 1993 where he served until his retirement. Dave’s initial training for Dog Section was conducted by the late Paul Greener, who Dave says, “was a superb dog trainer especially for the day and age. Ahead of his time in methodology! “

During his service Dave served with numerous Police dogs : Max, Brutus, Tyler, Jack, Prince, Elle & specialist dogs Mikey (Lab, narcotics and firearm detection) & Hamish ( Terrier cross - Narcotics, Firearms and currency detection)
Dave retired on the 15^th November 2009 and PD Elle & PD Hamish retired with him. All three are still enjoying retirement

Elle served from being a puppy!! and was bred in force, she retired with Dave and is now 9 years old.

Mikey was an unwanted gun dog, bought from a gun dog dealer in Alston and served from 1998 for five years or so, eventually being retired into Dave’s care and replaced by PD Hamish. Mikey has subsequently died.

Dave is now the editor for Service Dog, the official journal for The British Police & Services Canine Association.   BPSCA are needing members, they have people from all branches of the forces and police, all are or have been dog handlers and trainers, so the knowledge base is superb.  They have one trial a year held at Newbold Revel HMP college, Warwickshire. This year it is on the 13-7-2013.  There is also a specialist dog search, usually drugs but this year it will cater for all disciplines such as fire brigade, explo, drug, weapons.  Closing date for entries is last day of May.

For further info please visit : The British Police & Services Canine Association or Dave’s own website : www.daviddaviesdogtraining.com

Death of a retired Police Officer : PC Joseph Hedley

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Police Constable Joseph Hedley, who died on the 31st December 2012, aged 89 years.
Joseph Hedley leaves a widow May Unice Hedley.
The cremation service will be taking place at Mountsett Crematorium on the 14th January 2013 at 14.45p.m, the service is not private.

Death of a retired Police Officer : PC 1821 Ralph Cook

It is with regret that we announce the death of a retired Police Officer : PC 1821 Ralph Cook, who died on the 23^rd December, aged 80 years.
He Leaves a widow Jean Cook.
Ralph initially joined South Yorks Police in 1960, transferring to Durham Constabulary in 1971, where he served at Sunderland and then in 1974 he was transferred to Peterlee, from where he eventually retired.

The Police Traffic Control Box in the Market Place in Durham City

PC Bob Bell, Durham Market Place about 1950 ?

Dick Collinson : about 1940 (Note tin helmet)

Any idea’s who the PC is ?

The Police Traffic Control Box in the Market Place in Durham City.

Notice the step halfway up the box, which officers used to use to climb into the box as it had no door.

This was later changed as it was deemed undignified for an officer, particularly a WPC,  to climb in & out of the box

(Click on the images to view in the gallery)

Lambton House 1971

One from Sedgefield Camp

Lambton House 1971

Bruce McMillan, ? ? Alan Borthwick, ? Jim Mordue, ? ?
? Steve Lackenby, ? Bill Sproates, Ian Martin, Colin Mitchell, Paul Caslaw, Nick Skelton,?
Phil Taylor, Richie Gibson, John Wright, John Gilsenan, Bill Miles, Hugh Blenkin, George Harrison, Geoff Seedman? Phil Iceton, Dave Dunn, ? — with Ian D. Martin.

(Click on the image to view in the gallery)

Cadets Instructors… Rugby ??

Cadet Instructors at Aykley Heads somewhere between 1972 and 1974

Back row; PC Ronnie Lambert (Northumbria), Insp.Colin Neal, PC/Sgt Dave Cromarty, Sgt John Smith (North Yorks). Tom Baxter (Referee in yellow shirt)

Front Row :  Sgt Ray Clish, Sgt Frank Pickering, PC Lawrie Cummings and PC/Sgt George Nixon

 

Any of the Instructors or ex cadets remember what the occasion was ??

 

(Click on image to view in gallery)

Police Cadets : Xmas Concert : Oliver–1973 /74 ??

Police Cadets Christmas Concert  : 'Oliver' - 1973 or 74.

Sgt Dave Cromarty at front centre.

Other Durham cadets :

Steve Wintrell, Paul Wood, Frank Reed,  Carol Potts (Moore), Lynn Cleveland, Janet Clasper, Mick Kent, Bob Brown, Steve McLean, Brian Henderson & Denny Pygall

 

Northumbria Cadets : Syd Wareham, Fraser Gill, George Barber, Gillian Oakley

Any more names ??

Happy New Year…

Happy New Year...

Here's wishing you all a happy, healthy, prosperous and safe 2013.

Copper Plate : Winter 2012 (Issue 88)

Winter 2012 edition of Copper Plate can be viewed by clicking on the image.
You can view older editions of Copper Plate by clicking on the menu bar above or by CLICKING HERE

Happy Christmas from Durham NARPO

Happy Christmas to All our Viewers

Hi there folks, Christmas 2012 starts here, where we do hope that you will have a smile on your face and have happy memories that we have tried to share with you through our Durham NARPO webpages.

To paraphrase and old saying (with a Christmas tilt) “From little pine cones, big pine trees grow”. In January, 2010 a certain Bob Brown set up the NARPO webpages for all colleagues past and present to share. It has been my privilege to be the NARPO Durham Branch Chairman, “fronting” this magnificent information vehicle.
From modest beginnings, we now have a first class information service, PDFs  of the Durham Peeler Magazine and the Copper Plate,  Durham Constabulary’s newspaper.
To make sure everything is “bang up to date” we provide you with a current diary, a series of photo galleries, plus readers’ contributions and comments. All we ask of you is to continue to support our venture. Please forward photographs and articles of interest to your colleagues – essential fuel to keep the blog “red hot”. We always return you valuable photographs almost by return of post.
Doing a statistics count of the 2 years and 11 months that the website has been “live”, we have had a massive 111,800 page views. 
On average we have around 150 to 200 people viewing each day – a figure that rockets when the next : Durham Peeler or Copper Plate pdf’s are published.
We have 202 people on the email list (some of those are from overseas ex pats & retirees) whilst others are not NARPO members, just interested in our activities. We thank them all for their support BUT we do ask you to spread the word, broadcast our web page and see if we can’t attract a lot more of our ex colleagues to forward their email address to us.” It’s good to talk” as Bob Hoskins said in the BT advert.
Keep healthy and stay in touch. We sincerely wish you, one and all a very happy healthy and successful New Year
 
Alan S. Watson
NARPO Branch Chairman
21^stDecember 2012

Jon Stoddart to lead new inquiry into Hillsborough disaster

RECENTLY-RETIRED Durham chief constable Jon Stoddart is to lead a new inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster.

Home Secretary Theresa May announced yesterday that he would lead the fresh police investigation into the deaths of the 96 Liverpool fans at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final at the home of Sheffield Wednesday.

Mr Stoddart has previously had high- profile responsibilities at a national level, he led the independent review of Operation Weeting, the Metropolitan police investigation into phone hacking by the national media and other suspected criminal activity.He also gave evidence to the Leveson Inquiry into phone-hacking in March and was given an OBE in the 2012 New Year’s Honours.

Mr Stoddart said: "I am aware of the great significance and personal responsibility which comes with leading this criminal investigation.   My first priority is to meet with as many of the families as possible and to establish a working, open relationship with them throughout the investigation. I have held a number of meetings already and have been struck by the families’ humility and steadfast determination to see justice delivered for their loved ones.”

"My role is to ensure that we determine exactly what happened in the lead-up to and on the day of the disaster and establish where any culpability lies."

Families welcomed the move as the “first step towards accountability“ but urged all authorities to work together to ensure justice. The announcement came as High Court judges quashed the original accidental death verdicts on the disaster which occurred 23 years ago and ordered a fresh inquest. Both decisions follow a damning report from the Hillsborough Independent Panel in September, which laid bare the attempts to shift blame for the tragedy onto its victims.

Mr Stoddart will work closely with the previously announced Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into police conduct in the aftermath of the disaster. Both investigations will be conducted from the same office in Warrington, Cheshire. The Stoddart investigation will be into a range of agencies outside the IPCC’s remit but in order to maintain independence, the IPCC will look at the actions of police officers in relation to the deaths.

In addition to announcing a new investigation, a Liaison Board will be established to bring together all organisations working on behalf of the Hillsborough families. Mr Stoddart will be able to recruit investigators and staff to his team but will not be allowed to employ officers or former officers who have prior connection to the Hillsborough disaster.He is also unable to recruit any officers or former officers who worked in West Midlands, South Yorkshire or Merseyside police forces.

The investigation may trigger criminal prosecutions, the Home Secretary said, which will be the responsibility of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr Stoddart has been appointed to Metropolitan Police as assistant commissioner to carry out the investigation.

Death of a retired Police Officer : PC 1225 William Harland

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired PC 1225 William Harland, who died on the 8th December, aged 87 years.
William was a beloved husband to the late Jennie and a dear dad to Alan.
William Harland retired from Dertwentside in 1977 after 21 years' service; he had previously served at Jarrow, Consett, and Bradley.

Death of a retired Police Officer : Sgt 163 George Henry Cartwright

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Sgt 163 George Henry Cartwright, who died on the 23rd November , aged 90 years.
He leaves a son John and a daughter Helen.
George Cartwright retired from Teesdale in 1977 after 30 years service, he had previously served at HQ, Easingwold, Consett, Highgate, The Grove, West Hartlepool and Barnard Castle.

Police and crime commissioner : former Durham ACC, Ron Hogg elected

LABOUR'S Ron Hogg has won the election to become Durham's police and crime commissioner.

Ron Hogg won with 36,171 votes, beating independent Kingsley Smith on 18,813, UKIP's Mike Costello on 8,257 and Conservative Nick Varley on 6,900.

There was only a 14.7% turnout in the election.

Death of a retired Police Officer : Insp. 399 Richard Reynolds Brown

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Insp. 399 Richard Reynolds Brown, who died on the 11th November, aged 82 years.
His next of kin is Barbara Millicent Brownlie.
Mr Brown retired from HQ in 1984 after 31 years' service, he had previously served at Chester-le-Street, Hebburn and Jarrow.

Help Wanted….. re PC 981 Sydney Bell

P.C. 981 Sydney Bell. West Hartlepool.

I am in possession of this and several other photographs of P.C. Sydney Bell but to my chagrined I can’t recall from whom I got them.

Can anyone out there enlighten me regarding the history of this officer and details of his career please .I’m afraid  my memory isn’t what it used to be!

Alan S. Watson  (Editor of Durham Peeler magazine)

A moment to reflect

"They shall not grow old,
As we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them."
Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

Death of a retired Police Officer : Sgt 186 John Waller

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Sergeant 186 John Waller, who died on the 6th November, aged 96 years.
He leaves a widow Freda Margaret Waller and a son Donald Waller.
John Waller retired from HQ in 1969 after 31 years' service, he had previously served at Barracks, Jarrow, Darlington, Consett, Annfield Plain and Stanley, serving in CID & Traffic departments.
Upon retirement Mr Waller continued to work in various civilian departments including driving school until finally retiring in 1981.

Durham Peeler–Winter 2012

Chairman Alan Watson has once again been hard at work over the past few months putting together the latest edition of the Durham Peeler.

Click on the image to go to the Durham Peeler webpage where you can then click on the images of the Peeler and either read them online or download them to your own computer in pdf format

Members will shortly receive their printed editions through the letterbox.

If any of our readers has a story that you would like put into print, in the Durham Peeler then please email us on durhamnarpo@gmail.com and we will forward your details to the Editor – Alan Watson

Death of a retired Police Officer : Inspector George Moses

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Police Inspector George Moses, who died on the 4th November 2012, aged 86 years.
He does not leave a widow but he leaves a son Dave Moses (Ex Durham & North Yorks).
Mr Moses joined the Durham Constabulary in 1948 and served throughout the County area. He was promoted from Sgt to Inspector whilst at Barnard Castle and was transferred to Sunderland where he remained until his retirement in 1976 after 28 years service . We do not have full details of his postings and service history as he transferred to Northumbria police upon amalgamation in 1974.

Death of a retired Police Officer : PC 782 Neil Hall

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Police Officer 782, Neil Hall who died on the 4th November 2012 aged 80 years.
He leaves a widow Anne Hall, daughter Judith Taylor & a son John.
He retired from HQ comms in 1983 after 30 years' service, he previously served at Stockton, Hebburn and Mounted Branch at Harperley Hall.

Date for your diary : Next meeting of NARPO (Durham Branch)

The next meeting of NARPO (Durham Branch) will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 12^th November at Bishop Auckland Hospital Club.
Light buffet afterwards. All members or prospective members are invited to come along & enjoy
If you don't know where to go, Click On This Link and you'll see a map of the location and you can get driving directions to it.

Death of a retired Police Officer - Supt. Joseph John Veitch

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Superintendent, Joseph John Veitch, who died on the 5th November, aged 95 years.
He leaves a daughter Janet Stables, he does not leave a widow.
He retired from HQ in 1968 following 30 years' service; he had previously served at Jarrow, Bishop Auckland, Durham, Houghton, Hetton, Staindrop and Barnard Castle.

Death of a retired Police Officer - PW 65 Jean M Peck

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of the death of a retired Police Officer -  PW 65 Jean M PECK.
Jean died unexpectedly in UHND on Sunday 21st October, aged 79 years, having lived in Melbury Court, Durham for some time.
Jean was appointed 02.09.1963 and was stationed at West Hartlepool, Darlington, Peterlee then onto Traffic in 1967. In 1970 she went to Jarrow then onto Chester-le-Street and in 1976 worked Lambton section.
In 1979 Jean went to NECRO returning to Enq/Comms at Chester-le-Street in 1980 for three months.  Jean then moved to the Schools Team(Accident Prevention) in 1981 finishing her service in Control Room in 1985

The forthcoming Police Commissioner Elections

Ron Hogg  has taken the trouble to make direct contact with NARPO and shown commitment by furnishing details of his stance on the new post of Police Commissioner for Durham.  We have published his words for information of all members.

There are three other official candidates for the election on 15^th November, 2012 who have not yet made contact albeit they  have an equal right to address our blog if they so wish. We are completely neutral and non- political on this issue. If they are not aware of NARPO then WHY NOT?  it tells its own story as far as I’m concerned.

Our members can get further information on each of the candidates by clicking on this link :

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19510224

I am not inclined to pursue each candidate directly – if candidates or our members are interested they, have a ready source of reference as outlined above.

Let me make it quite clear that  we are completely open minded and  NOT politically inclined nor showing any preference for any of the candidates

List of Candidates:

Mike Costello : UK Independence Party (Worked for many years at Durham Police H.Q. for many years as head of the IT Unit)

Ron Hogg : Labour ( Ex Deputy Chief Constable Cleveland and ex A.C.C. Durham)

Kingsley Smith : Independent (former Chief Executive Officer of Durham County Council)

Nick Varley : Conservative

 

Alan S. Watson

Chairman, Durham Branch N.A.R.P.O.

Letter to NARPO members from Ron Hogg

Dear Colleague’s,
It was with a great sense of personal regret that I retired from the Police Service, just over 4 years ago, after 30 years service. It is an emotion that, I know, each of you will be familiar with.
However, I have been provided with the opportunity to once more serve our communities in the role of Police and Crime Commissioner. I have been selected as the Labour Party Candidate for Durham Constabulary. I find the opportunity of being associated once more with the Constabulary truly exciting and I hope that I can persuade you to support me by voting on 15^th November.
These are difficult times for the service and I believe that the Commissioner needs a clear understanding of policing and working with communities if they are to be successful.
I attach for your information a brief statement of my commitments and hope that you will choose to support my nomination.
With very best wishes,
Ron Hogg

 
Election Address – Ron Hogg

As your Police and Crime Commissioner I promise to listen to your needs, seek out the concerns of all and tackle them. I will hold the Service to account on your behalf.
I will resist and make clear the impact of the Government cuts which have already cost 140 officers and 200 police staff.
I will ensure that we maintain neighbourhood policing at current levels and maintain a mix of police officers and PCSOs. We will deliver local policing, working with local people to deliver local solutions.

I will resist the drive for privatisation of your police service, ensuring that policing remains for people and not for profit. In this regard I will seek to develop imaginative solutions to ensure that public services continue to be delivered by public sector employees.
I will work tirelessly to protect all members of our community, but especially the weak and the vulnerable. I will work with the victims and witnesses to crime so that we can improve our service to them. I will tackle domestic violence which makes up one third of all violent crime. I shall ensure that through me our communities have a voice.
I will address known concerns such as anti-social behaviour and drug and alcohol related problems, and work with the Police and partners to ensure a coordinated response in tackling and reducing crime.
In short I promise to work with you and to work for you. I have 30 years policing experience working at the highest levels and I know that I can make a difference.

Death of a retired Police Officer - PC 1193 Brian Stabler

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Police Officer 1193, Brian Stabler who died on the 20th October aged 70 years. He leaves a widow Ms Shirley Stabler.
Brian retired from Wear Valley in 1990 after 24 years service, he previously served at Newton Aycliffe, HQ Traffic patrols and Darlington.

Death of a retired Police Officer : Insp. Vic Errington

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Insp. Victor George Errington who died on 10^th October 2012 aged 71 years.

Mr Errington joined Durham Constabulary in 1959 having previously been a Police Cadet for 2 years. He retired in 1989 after having served the majority of his service on Traffic Dept.

Death of a retired Police Officer : Chief Constable Eldred Boothby QPM

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Chief Constable Eldred Boothby QPM who died on 11th October 2012 aged 83 years.
Mr Boothby commenced his Police career in 1949 and severed at Cheshire Constabulary, Surrey Police and Northamptonshire Police before joining Durham Constabulary in 1979 as Chief Constable until his retirement in 1988.

Death of a retired Police Officer : PC856 James Edwin Duff

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Police Officer, PC 856 James Edwin Duff, who sadly passed away on the 3rd October 2012. He leaves a widow Dorothy Duff.
James Edwin Duff retired from HQ in 1983 after 30 years' service. He had previously served at Darlington, Blaydon and Stockton.

Copper Plate–Summer 2012 (Issue 87)

Summer 2012 edition of Copper Plate can be viewed by clicking on the image.
You can view older editions of Copper Plate by clicking on the menu bar above or by CLICKING HERE

Chief Constable John Stoddart steps down at the start of October

Chief's retirement message..
In his last few weeks as a serving police officer, Chief Constable Jon Stoddart has spoken of his plans to keep active - and his pride at leading the force over the last seven years.
Mr Stoddart steps down at the start of October, bringing to an end a distinguished 30-year career.
Newcastle born and bred, he was educated at the city's Royal Grammar School and then Northumbria University.
But his plans to join the police after graduating were put on ice for almost two years, courtesy of a broken ankle sustained during a rugby game.
He finally joined his local force in 1982 and was singled out for accelerated promotion, reaching the rank of chief superintendent during his 16 years with Northumbria.
After moving to Lincolnshire as assistant chief constable, he returned to the north east in 2003 to become Durham's deputy chief. Two years later he succeeded Paul Garvin in the top job
"It's the appropriate time to retire and will be helpful to the incoming police and crime commissioner to have a new chief constable, someone who no doubt intends to be in place for a number of years. But I plan to carry on working in some capacity and involved in a number of causes close to my heart," said Mr Stoddart.
"I feel young enough to keep exercising those 'little grey cells', and it will also keep me out of the house.
"But I will miss policing terribly. Durham will always be my number one force and I am proud of its fantastic achievements. The Durham culture is one of working with partners and the community to tackle the root causes of problems so we can solve them permanently," said the chief, who was awarded an OBE in the last New Year's Honours list.
He is also delighted the force is able to recruit once again, after a period when officer and staff numbers were steadily falling.
"As chief I inherited a force which was already downsizing and finance was very tight. Previous chiefs had enjoyed the luxury of being able to increase the workforce on the back of revenue streams from the Home Office.
"The whole redundancy and restructuring process was painful, but we got ahead of the game compared to most other forces. The end result is that we are now in a far better place than many."
Looking ahead to the issues facing the force over the next few years Mr Stoddart remains confident Durham is equipped to meet the issues head-on.
"Mike Barton will succeed me as acting chief and I know he and the rest of the executive will do a tremendous job easing us through those early stages under a police commissioner," he said.
"When I first came to Durham the force had six basic command units, as many as 11 control rooms and an IT system which frankly, didn’t work. Now we have restructured to become more efficient, we are about to start building a new headquarters and we have more modern, streamlined ways of carrying out our business," he said.
Over the last few years Mr Stoddart has also been the national police spokesman on alcohol issues, and he is convinced the easy access to cheap drink is something which must be tackled.
"I'm a firm believer in a minimum unit price for alcohol. Quite simply it is far too cheap and far too easily available. And I think it is only now being recognised that alcohol abuse is something which goes across all social classes, causing immense problems for our emergency and health services."
As he contemplates his change of life, 53-year-old Mr Stoddart thanked his family for their support throughout his career. His wife, Kate has just finished an education degree and is taking up a post with a school for special needs students in Northumberland. And his retirement also means he will get to see more of his son, 13-year-old George as well as freeing up time to maintain his passion for cycling.
"There are lots of challenges ahead, but Durham Constabulary is in good hands. I am sure the organisation and its people will respond positively to those challenges and continue our excellent record," he said.

CG REUNION LUNCH

Durham Indoor Bowling Club, Pity Me.
Friday, 9^th November 2012
12 Noon for 1pm.
Cost : £15:25

*****************************
You are cordially invited to the 15^th annual reunion.
The cost includes: welcome drink, four course lunch and raffle.
The menu comprises:-
Vegetable soup,
Roast beef or chicken breast (both with Yorkshire pudding)
Gateaux and cheese board,
Tea/coffee.
The vegetarian option is Tuna Pasta Bake.

The closing date is Friday 26^th October, 2012, there can be no refunds on any cancellation after this date.

Cheque's (payable to CG Fund) together with choice of main course forwarded to:-
H. ANGUS. 26 EDLINGHAM RD., DURHAM, DH1 5YS
Tel. No. 01913840505

The Prince’s Trust needs volunteers

Are you a retired police officer, or about to retire?

Are you interested in making a real and lasting difference to the lives of young people in your local community? If so, The Prince’s Trust has a range of volunteering opportunities available to you.

The Prince’s Trust work with 13 to 30 year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law. They give practical and financial support, developing key workplace skills such as confidence and motivation. 

The Prince’s Trust help 100 young people every day and more than three in four of them move into work, education or training.

Whether you have a few hours a month or are available full-time, there is a rewarding and challenging volunteering opportunity for you. If you can give:

• four hours every month you can mentor a young person and help them to progress in life

• one or two days a week you could help coordinate other volunteers to enable them to support young people

• 20 days over a 12-week period you could support 15 young people as they progress through a personal development programme

Opportunities are available throughout Wales and England - from Bangor to Barry and Cornwall to Cumbria.

For more details please contact Bob Clewley on : retired.police@princes-trust.org.uk

For more information about the work of The Prince’s Trust please visit the website princes-trust.org.uk

Next Meeting of Durham NARPO–Monday 3rd September

The next meeting of NARPO (Durham Branch) will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 3^rd September at Durham Indoor Bowling Centre.
Light buffet afterwards. All members or prospective members are invited to come along & enjoy
If you don't know where to go, Click On This Link and you'll see a map of the location and you can get driving directions to it.

Death of a retired Police Officer : Superintendent 173 Jack Perks

It is with regret that we announce the death of Superintendent 173 John William Perks, better known as Jack, who died on the 20th August aged 84 years.
Jack Perks retired from HQ in 1986, following 36 years' service he had previously served at HQ training, Darlington, Mundeville, East Howle, Ingleton, West Auckland, West Hartlepool, Belle Vue, Darlington, Harperley Hall, Newton Aycliffe, Sedgefield and Wear Valley.

Death of a retired Police Officer : Chief Superintendent 606 Tom Coates

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Chief Superintendent 606 Tom Coates who died on the 13th August 2012, aged 83 years.
Tom Coates retired from HQ in 1984 after 34 years service, he had previously served at Blaydon, Felling, Whickham, Annfield Plain, Durham, Sunderland, Spennymoor and Sedgefield.

Going for Gold…..

Most of the ‘BikeWise Team’ will be heading south on two wheels tomorrow to help Police the Olympic Games……

The team will be performing duties at the road based cycling events which will include the men's and ladies Road Races and Individual Time Trial events, which will be held this Saturday & Sunday and then next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Look out for the Durham Police FJR’s on your TV screens as our motorcycle riders rub shoulders with Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish & co (although I wouldn't want to sprint against ‘Cav’ even on a FJR !!)

No doubt the team will have some interesting stories and photo's of the events, when they return home late next week.

Here’s hoping they at least get a bit more sunshine down south than we’ve been having recently