Top policeman stands down
The top police officer in Rugeley - Inspector Dave Timmis - today announced that he is quitting after 30 years of service.The top police officer in Rugeley - Inspector Dave Timmis - today announced that he is quitting after 30 years of service. He started his police service in Stafford in 1977, going from Pc to Dc and then sergeant in 1981, when he moved to Codsall. He joined the CID/firearms administration at Staffordshire Police HQ, Stafford, in 1986, moved to Stoke as custody sergeant in 1990 and then became acting inspector, before arriving in Cannock as inspector in 1991 and Rugeley in the same role in 2004. The 50-year-old was on the team introducing CCTV cameras to Cannock town centre, cutting car crime dramatically. Read the full story in the Express & Star
He started his police service in Stafford in 1977, going from Pc to Dc and then sergeant in 1981, when he moved to Codsall.
He joined the CID/firearms administration at Staffordshire Police HQ, Stafford, in 1986, moved to Stoke as custody sergeant in 1990 and then became acting inspector, before arriving in Cannock as inspector in 1991 and Rugeley in the same role in 2004.
The 50-year-old was on the team introducing CCTV cameras to Cannock town centre, cutting car crime dramatically.He has two divisional commendations for community safety work and was part of a team that won a national award for tackling crime and disorderin Cannock, Stafford and south Staffordshire.
His greatest achievement, he said, was cutting anti-social behaviour on Rugeley's Fernwood estate, by 34 per cent in the first six months of 2006.
He plans a year of relaxation, with holidays, more time fly fishing at his favourite river retreats in Wales and catching up on DIY tasks at home.
His last day will be on March 6 but his replacement has not yet been named.
He said: "I only made my mind up last week and I am quite excited by the fact. It is quite strange I'm not going to be a policeman any more."
He lives in Stafford with wife Jillian. They met at training school at Ryton near Coventry and were both posted to Stafford.
She completed seven years in the police before becoming a full time mother to three children. They now have two grandchildren.
Insp Timmis paid tribute to his staff in Rugeley for achieving great results.
He added: "For a population of about 30,000 we record on average seven crimes in a 24 hour period which is the third lowest in the county, and we have a 39 per cent detection rate which is the third best in the Staffordshire force."
By Andy Rea
