Warwickshire police officer retires for the second time

A former Warwickshire Police officer retired for the second time on Thursday, February 23, after completing nearly 45 years with the force.

Atherstone born John Burrows BEM began his career in May 1961 as PC104.

After turning down an offer to train as a surveyor he had a short venture in the coalmines, where he was one of the last people to drive pit ponies, before he joined the police force.

After his initial training he was posted to Rugby division and remained there for his whole career.

In the early days, when wages were little more than £8 for a 48-hour week, he says that discipline was tight but fair and accepted.

Beat officers were not allowed to patrol in cars until they had completed two years on foot patrol, by which time they knew their area like the back of their hands and the shortest route to any incident.

"This was a necessary part of our lives because on nights if we did not find a break in or insecure premises on our beat we would be hauled back in full uniform at 09.00hrs the next morning to face the Chief Inspector with our excuses - if we had any!", he recalls.

He moved on to traffic duty, which he said was very demanding.

"We dealt with all accidents that came along together with anything else that came our way. That included rescuing cattle stuck in ditches, delivering babies and attending to a young man who had blown off his hand trying to make a home made bomb."

After ten years in the traffic service, and a short posting with admin and then the Rural Area Car Scheme, Mr Burrows took on the role of local officer at Dunchurch.

He stayed there for the next 13 years, where he was involved in the first Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

On leaving Dunchurch he became property officer at Rugby and continued the role in a civilian capacity when he retired as a serving officer. He retired from that post on Thursday.

Mr Burrows is, and has been, involved in a wide range of activities and has received a number of accolades.

For his service to the Police Federation, where he held the positions of chairman of the Constables' Board and treasurer of the Joint Board, he was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1983.

Outside force activities Mr Burrows has been involved in Scouting and was awarded the prestigious Wood Badge by the Scouts Association.

His main interest within the organisation in his work with a troop of handicapped souts from inner London who come to the Midlands countryside to give their parents a break.

He was also Commanding Officer of the 29(F) Air Training Corps, for which he was awarded an RAF long service medal.

More recently he trained as a Deacon in the Catholic Church and now assists the parish priest, Father Joe Mullen, at the Sacred Heart Church in Bilton and conducts marriages, baptisms and funerals.

Speaking of his time in the police force he said: "I have been extremely proud to serve in Warwickshire and I am going to miss it very much.

"I think the public can be a little bit hard on the police today. The police have got an awful job at times and I think they should think about them a little bit more. I know they don't always see them, but that's because they are so busy with the workload they have these days."

Colleagues gave Mr Burrows a good send off on Thursday with gifts including an engraved glass and vouchers, presented to him by Chief Inspector Mike Fawcett.

To arrange to take photographs of Mr Burrows members of the media should call Anne Tugwell, Media and PR Officer, on 01926 410065.