Top Cop Bids Farewell After 30 Years' Service

AFTER 30 years' service, one of Hertfordshire Constabulary's senior officers is retiring, biding a fond farewell to the Force.

Chief Superintendent Adrian Walter will be stepping down from his role on Saturday (August 21).

Adrian, who lives in Hertford, has been seconded to the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) since 2008 but has worked in a variety of roles during his time at the Constabulary. The last position he held was Deputy Commander of the Eastern Area, where he was accountable for policing in the districts of Broxbourne, East Herts, Stevenage and North Herts.

During this role he oversaw several major incidents, including the investigation into the murder of Colonel Riley Workman, and co-ordinated the police response to several music concerts held at Knebworth House.

Adrian also served in a number of roles in East Herts, Broxbourne, North Herts, Welwyn and Hatfield and Police Headquarters in Welwyn Garden City.

During his career Adrian has been involved in shaping national policing processes. He said: "One of the proudest moments of my career has been during my role at the NPIA where I re-wrote two codes of practice of the Police and Crime Evidence Act (PACE), which governs the way all police officers and other investigators conduct interviews with suspects. It's not every day you can read a section of an act of parliament and think, "I wrote that!"."

"I was also proud of my time in charge of the operational policing of the Eastern Area - that was where I started my service and it was good to get back there as the Operations Commander, not least since I have lived in Hertford for all of my service."

During his current position at the NPIA he has been reviewing the current systems that provide front line officers with updated crime information and looking at ways to increase the opportunity for people to access police services and participate in the criminal justice process.

However, Adrian's favourite role was when he was on the front line, directly serving members of the public, he explained: "Being a PC in Stevenage, it was what I joined to do and I loved every minute of it. Nothing will top that."

Adrian will now be spending his time with his wife, children and grandson as well as renovating his 18th century French Farmhouse, travelling and assisting Hertford Baptist Church with their Information Technology.

Summing up his 30 years' service, Adrian concluded: "I will miss the people I worked with and I am proud to have served the people of Hertfordshire."