Special retires after almost 40 years service

Her Majesty the Queen and the Prime Minister were among the individuals who congratulated Special Constable 3148 George Want for giving almost 40 years service to the community including Warwickshire as a police special.

"Her Majesty said she was pleased to hear of my record of remarkable service to the community and wished me a long and happy retirement. The Prime Minister also sent his congratulations and offered his best wishes for a well earned retirement."

said George, born and bred in Coventry.

Chief Constable John Burbeck said

"This is an incredible achievement and George should feel justifiably proud. During his time as a special, he has given the equivalent of six years service of a full time regular officer. An immense achievement, even more so when you consider that Special constables are unpaid volunteers giving up their free time to help make Warwickshire safer.

"He has always embraced the modern aspects of policing. He is an excellent tutor constable keen to develop the best in others and heavily involved in training the new recruits."

To mark his retirement over 40 friends and colleagues surprised 59 year old George at the Honiley Boot Hotel, Warwick where he was called to deal with a breach of the peace on Tuesday 29 March. Instead he arrived to find a surprise party had been organised in his honour with This is your life theme.

Special Constable Want has always had an interest in the police and first joined Coventry City Police as a special constable in June 1964. After a short break from volunteering, he spent three years with the territorial army royal military police reserve, moving on to being a special with West Midlands in Coventry before finally becoming a special in 1985 with Warwickshire.

Since 1985 George has been serving Warwickshire's citizens in Leamington, Warwick, Southam and most recently Kenilworth.

Senior Area Officer Garry Swinburn said

"This is a unique contribution to the community. George has steadfastly turned out for duty, at short notice and for any event that you can think of.

"George has served beyond the years of many regular colleagues, and has an expertise and knowledge that is second to none. When you add this to a mix of a modest man, with understanding, humility and an incredibly good sense of humour, then you may just end up having an appreciation of the man, and the loss he will be to the community and this force".

At the surprise tribute George met with colleagues from both his early years and those currently in service with him. The Mayor of Kenilworth Councillor Pauline Edwards paid tribute to George and thanked him on behalf of the people of Kenilworth for his contribution over time. Chief Superintendent and commandant of the Southern Area David Whitehouse read out a letter of thanks from the Chief Constable Mr John Burbeck.

Acting Area Officer Chris Hobson completed the tributes by presenting some flowers to SC Want's wife Mrs Janet Want suggesting that she might get to see a bit more of him at last, and thanking her for her support to George's chosen vocation!

SC Want officially retired on the 4 April 2005.

What next for George? George currently works as an Assistant Protection Manager responsible for managing fire, safety and security issues. However he is soon to set up his own business as a Security industry authority approved trainer and will offer services training to the new standards for security staff.