‘ 163 ‘ TaISSUE lk THE MAGAZINETH OF THE ROUGHMINISTRY OF DEFENCE POLICE JULY 2017 In Memoriam ❚ Untimely death of MDP Chief Constable Alf Hitchcock The Sad Loss of CONTENTS ISSUE 163 JULY 2017 The Sad Loss of Chief Constable Alf Hitchcock 1 Chief Constable MDP mobilises . in response to terror attacks 6 6 Alf Hitchcock Project Servator starts rolling out 10 Interview with ACC Operations 14 10 MDP’s key role in memorial unveiling ceremony 16 Interview with ACC ODC 18 16 Representatives from MDP, the Metropolitan Police Service, ❚ THE SAD AND UNTIMELY DEATH on MDP Fitness Programme Update 22 Bedfordshire Police, Lancashire Constabulary and the College of @ministryofdefencepolice 16 June, aged 58, of Chief Constable Policing (formerly the National Policing Improvement Agency) Alf Hitchcock, after a short illness, came as – in each of which Alf had served – were joined by senior a shock not only to his family and MOD military and civilian personnel from the wider MOD, together MDP embracing the power of social media . 26 Police colleagues, but to the wider policing with civic dignitaries and community leaders from Bedfordshire. The Service was led @MODpolice world, in which he became a prominent by The Rev Canon 26 figure over the course of his 40­year career. David Wilbraham, At a Service of Thanksgiving for his life, held at St Paul’s National Police Chaplain, Church, Bedford on 6 July, leading figures from across the with assistance from ‘ police service – including Metropolitan Police Commissioner The Rev Kevin Goss, Cressida Dick – were among the 300­strong congregation. Vicar of St Paul’s. ‘ TalkTHROUGH Editor: Norman Hicks We welcome articles and photos of interest to readers, but reserve Corporate Communications the right to shorten/edit contributions. Room 122/1070 Staff contributing articles should ensure they are suitable for open MDP Wethersfield publication. Braintree, Essex CM7 4AZ tel: 01371 854053 If you would like to discuss your contribution, please contact the Editor. e­mail: MDP­CorpCom­[email protected] 1 CONTINUED . THE SAD LOSS OF CHIEF CONSTABLE ALF HITCHCOCK Alf was the national policing lead for birthday – a fresh faced constable who equality and human rights for four years maintained those ‘Peter Pan’ youthful until 2016. He was also the national police looks throughout his working life. spokesman on knife crime, and in 2008 he “Those formative years were was appointed by the then Home influential on Alf, as they have been on Secretary, Jacqui Smith, to develop and the many senior officers and staff who have grown up in, or served with, lead the National Tackling Knives Action Lancashire and used the experience as Programme. a springboard for greater things. Moving to Bedfordshire Police in 2011 “The Met thrust him into the as the Chief Constable, Alf led a complete national spotlight, not only for his restructuring of the force, which resulted involvement in operational activity but in double the national average levels of also as a result of rolling out Neighbour­ crime reduction and similar improvements hood Policing as well as the leadership The funeral cortege was given a police of London by the end of 2006. In 2007, in detection of crimes across the county, of the Tackling Knife Crime Action motorcycle escort made up of officers he was appointed as a Deputy Assistant whilst meeting the budgetary challenges Programme; working closely with the then Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith. from the four Forces in which Alf served Commissioner within the MPS with during this period. It was these skills and and a guard of honour was formed outside responsibility for Operational Services, qualities that led to his appointment as the Above all, I will remember him as “His time in Bedfordshire may have the church with MDP Deputy Chief with portfolios including Professional Chief Constable of the MDP in 2013. TRIBUTES someone who was passionate about been short but his influence on its workforce and legacy in its policing style Constable Andy Adams and current Standards, Command and Control, Alf was awarded the Queen’s Police ❚ Mark Lancaster, Minister for the public service, relentless in pursuit of continues even four years on; although Bedfordshire Chief Constable Jon Diversity and Citizen Focus. excellence and consistently positive and Medal (QPM) in 2008 for distinguished Armed Forces who until recently had Boutcher taking the salute. optimistic. Our thoughts are with his his recognition and reward policy of services to policing. He was subsequently ministerial responsibility for the Ministry In 2009, Alf was appointed Deputy family.” deploying packets of broken biscuits for of Defence Police, said: Readings and tributes were provided Chief Constable at the former NPIA at made a Commander of the Most Excellent good performance has, understandably, by Alf’s widow, Mrs Helen Hitchcock; their Bramshill, to help set up the new National Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the “I was deeply saddened to hear not endured. The ever smiling Chief daughters Melanie and Sophie; Sara College of Police Leadership and to review 2017 New Year’s Honours list, for services about the untimely death of Alf Constable not only managed to win Thornton, Head of the National Police its leadership courses. to Defence and Policing. Hitchcock. I knew Alf very well in his the hearts of his staff but developed Chiefs’ Council; Andy Rhodes, CC capacity as the Chief Constable of the some lasting relationships with his Lancashire Constabulary; Mr Boutcher; Ministry of Defence Police and held community and its leaders which have him in the highest possible regard. He Alf’s former Staff Officer at Bedfordshire, continued until this day. was a consummate professional and Det Supt Liz Mead, with DCC Adams “In 2013 the opportunity to move I echo the sentiments that have been giving the Eulogy. to the Ministry of Defence arose. Over made by others. My sympathies go to four years he worked tirelessly to Alf’s family and friends at this very develop the way we do things, aligning difficult time.” the Force with the MOD requirement ❚ Julie Taylor, Director General Head whilst also ensuring a capability to Office and Commissioning Services at the support wider policing. Many an MDP MOD commented: officer will be thinking of Alf as they undertake the annual fitness test he “Alf will be sorely missed. He has ❚ DCC Adams said in his Eulogy: introduced. been an inspirational leader for the Alf Hitchcock devoted the Ministry of Defence Police, modernising “It is a fitting end to Alf’s career whole of his working life to the force and ensuring they could rise to ‘ that the last national press coverage of policing. the new and demanding challenges they our Force was a positive one – the face. He was liked and respected by his “Always ’proud to call himself a successful deployment of his officers in officers and by everyone who knew him Lancastrian he started his career with his support of the wider policing effort in the wider MOD. local force in 1977, just prior to his 19th during Operation Temperer. It is also fitting that the last formal recognition of Alf’s public service came a few months Alf took up his post at the MDP four ago at the investiture for his CBE years ago, establishing strong links and received for his contribution to the MOD working relationships with colleagues and policing.” across the MOD, having committed the whole of his working life to public service. ❚ Eamon Keating, National Chairman of the Defence Police Federation, said: He joined Lancashire Constabulary in “We’re shocked and saddened by 1977, later serving in each of the other the passing of Alf Hitchcock. He was a organisations represented at the fantastic person, a true gentleman and a Thanksgiving Service. copper’s copper. In 2005, Alf led the Safer Neighbour­ “He will be sorely missed by all of hoods Programme within the MPS and those who knew him and worked with delivered the successful roll­out of him, and our thoughts and prayers are Neighbourhood Policing across the whole with his family at this deeply sad time.” 2 3 CONTINUED . THE SAD LOSS OF CHIEF CONSTABLE ALF HITCHCOCK ❚ David Rogers, Chairman of the MDP’s “The loss of Alf was a tremendous do amazing things day in and day out to Retired Officers’ Association (ROA), paid shock to our members. In the police deliver security. this tribute: family of the MDP and the MDPROA “In his four years as Chief Constable Alf will be a monumental loss and he will “We came into contact with the of MDP, Alf led the force with a care for be sorely missed. However, I would like Chief on a slightly different level and officers, a commitment to secure the to think that we were honoured and were able, therefore, to see a side of him future of the force and a determination that serving officers were unlikely to see. privileged to have had Alf in our lives. that MDP should play an increasing part We had the privilege of seeing the He will never be forgotten.” in the national police landscape. I am Chief on a more social, rather than on confident that Alf’s vision for MDP will ❚ David Riddle, the Chair of the Ministry an official basis. be carried forward by the Senior of Defence Police Committee, said: Leadership Team, supported by the “Nevertheless, ROA members are “Alf Hitchcock’s sudden death was a Police Committee and MOD. constantly keen to know how the Force great loss for everyone who knew him, is doing currently and what the future All the Members of the for the Force and for policing as a holds for the MDP.