Telford Police Chief to retire
Telford’s Police Chief, Superintendent Gary Higgins is set to retire at the end of the month having completed more than 30 years in the Police Service.
Mr Higgins - who succeeded Superintendent James Tozer as Telford's Police Chief in 2010 - first successfully applied to join West Mercia Police in the early 1980s but was advised that there was an 18 month waiting list before he could officially join up.
Rather than wait he therefore decided to apply to join the Metropolitan Police in London with a longer-term plan to transfer back to West Mercia Police - as a Shropshire lad, his local force - once he had gained significant policing experience.
Joining the Met was the start of what turned out to be an exciting, eventful and very busy first five years as a police officer.
Some of the challenges he faced included being part of a team drafted into Broadwater Farm following the infamous riot, spending many hours involved in the News International riots in Wapping, working as part of the increased security team at Buckingham Palace following the intrusion by Michael Fagin, and being part of the reassurance team in central London following the Harrods bombing.
The highlights included working at the old Wembley Stadium for just about every major sporting event and concert between 1981 and 1986. This included Royal Box security at an FA Cup Final, pitch side security at England football internationals and one really memorable evening as dressing room security for a Frank Bruno fight.
Eventually though the draw of Shropshire became too much for him and his family and in 1986 they decided to head for home.
Speaking about his career, Superintendent Higgins said:
"My first posting on arriving back in West Mercia was as a response PC in Telford. From then on I worked in a variety of both uniform and CID roles - mainly between Telford and Shrewsbury - and have actually served the people of Telford in every rank from PC to Superintendent.
"Looking back I have had a great time in the Police, dealing with the whole range of crime and community issues at all levels. As well as my time at Telford I have particularly fond memories of my time as the Detective Sergeant running the Operation Bumblebee Team (the Burglary Squad) in Shrewsbury.
"Particular highlights of my final posting as TPU Commander in Telford include playing my part in the successful operation put in place to ensure the recent EDL (English Defence League) protest in Wellington passed off peacefully. It was very rewarding to see so many different sections within our local community supporting each other and working together to get through what was a very sensitive time.
"I joined this job to do something for the community and I'd like to think that I have made a small difference for people. As someone born and bred in Shropshire, this part of the country and its people are close to my heart and I have always been committed to doing my very best to make this an even safer and better place to live and work.
"Although I am very much looking forward to what the future holds I have to say that I am genuinely sad to be leaving West Mercia Police. I have had the pleasure of working with some extremely committed, talented and genuine people, all of whom are truly dedicated to their job and to serving the community. I am certainly very proud to have been the Superintendent commanding policing in Telford."
