Chief presents retirement gift in care home

Chief Constable Mike Cunningham presented a police officer, who has been hospitalised for more than 30 months, with a cut-glass vase and certificate on her retirement.

Jackie Lamont has been suffering with Guillain-Barre Syndrome and has now been transferred from the University Hospital of North Staffordshire to Scotia Heights Care Home in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent.

Jackie, 48, who is ventilated and paralysed by her condition now has a private room. Friends and colleagues are hopeful that a new environment will have a positive affect on Jackie, whose condition has not changed.

A 42" flat-screen television was bought with money raised by colleagues and friends so Jackie can enjoy programmes.

Jackie retired from the force, on the grounds of ill health, just before completing 23 years' service. The Chief Constable stated that Jackie had been an outstanding police officer and remains a true inspiration to others.

In a statement, colleagues who worked in the then major crime unit, where Jackie worked before her illness, said: "The presentation at the care home was a fitting tribute to a long and distinguished career in which Jackie received a number of commendations for outstanding detective work. She has shown the same tenacity and positive attitude throughout her illness.

"It has been a privilege for us to have had Jackie as a colleague. She is a woman of great integrity and moral courage and was so proud to be a police officer. We will continue to support her in any way we can. "

Jackie joined Staffordshire police in September 1987 and after her training period began her career in Hanley. Between May 1996 and September 1999 she worked in the training unit at police headquarters in Stafford.

In April 2001, Jackie was seconded to the Major Investigations Department as part of a team investigating a murder. She received a Chief Constable's
commendation for her work. Jackie then worked on the Yoxall grave desecration inquiry and received another Chief Constable's commendation for her work.

In January 2006 she went to Jordan on a one-year overseas secondment assisting the international mission training programme for Iraqi police officers. She returned to the force's Major Crime Unit in January 2007.

It was in December 2007 that Jackie was struck down by Guillain-Barre Syndrome and admitted to hospital. In October 2009 Jackie was awarded with a 22-year Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, which was presented to her at the hospital.