December 26, 2016 8.30 am
This story is over 58 months old
Reflections 2016: Neil Rhodes – My last Christmas as Chief Constable
Now that the festive period is upon us it is time to pause, draw breath and reflect on our journey over the last year. This year the force has faced many challenges – a triple shooting, a double murder conviction, 59 fatalities on our roads. It’s clear there have been plenty of examples of policing…
Chief Constable Neil Rhodes. Photo: The Lincolnite
Now that the festive period is upon us it is time to pause, draw breath and reflect on our journey over the last year.
This year the force has faced many challenges – a triple shooting, a double murder conviction, 59 fatalities on our roads. It’s clear there have been plenty of examples of policing at its finest, and toughest.
The quality, dedication and sometimes sheer bravery of our people – police officers, PCSOs, special constabulary officers, police staff and volunteers, and of the people we come into contact with just takes your breath away.
So very often great work can go unnoticed and unremarked.
That was not the case at our annual recognition awards ceremony held last month.
We presented Royal Humane Society awards to two members of the public who courageously rescued an unconscious man from a fiercely burning car.
We heard about tremendous work done in our community by one PCSO with really good results.
We recognised a long service officer for professionalism and exceptional personal tenacity that landed a protracted drugs case.
We were moved by the story of a young Police Support Volunteer, who overcame personal challenges to put a massive amount of time into assisting her local CID.
And, we acknowledged the work of a Special Constabulary manager for pulling together a series of operations in partnership with one of our Neighbourhood Policing Teams.
We have always been a force that performs under pressure and the HMIC report on efficiency found just that.
We have done all we can do to bridge the funding gap especially in collaboration. Our East Midlands’ shared services are an example of best practice for the country, placing us in a key position to take up the gauntlet with blue light integration.
By next year, Lincolnshire will see fire, ambulance and police sharing buildings in what I believe will be a model for the future.
I have seen these changes as Chief Constable knowing that they were only possible because of the hardworking team of people willing to make that change for the better.
It all comes down to providing the very best response we can to the person facing a crisis at that point in time.
It is vital for that person, but also important for my officers, who then get the recognition they deserve rather than the criticism they face for failing to meet expectations because of the restrictions the budget places on us.
The festive period is a wonderful time for most of us, but it is also a time when the complexities and challenges of life and humanity are often magnified.
Our police officers and staff who are on duty are often the people who deal with that and we need to spare a thought for them.
This will be my last Christmas as Chief Constable. In February Bill Skelly will travel from Exeter in Devon to make his home in this county and lead this proud force.
If he gets a fraction of the satisfaction and joy that I have had from being part of the family that is Lincolnshire Police since I first joined as a constable, almost 31 years ago back in 1986, he will be a very lucky man.
It seems fitting that one of my final projects will be the completion of our memorial garden which pays tribute to those who have died in service and reminds us of the principles of policing set out by Robert Peel.
His idea that the police should gain the approval of the public was once novel but is now fully integrated in everything we do.
This was funded by a donation from a member of the public.
Val Hills’ approval was such that she left her life savings to Lincolnshire Police.
I hope she approves now of what we have been able to achieve with her money.
Remembering and celebrating the service; good people doing good work.
So, finally, I will close by saying I hope that for all of us – especially those on duty over the festive period – Christmas and New Year are both safe and peaceful.
Neil Rhodes is the Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police. The role marks the culmination of his police career which began when he joined Lincolnshire in 1986. During 15 years with Lincolnshire Police he progressed from Constable to Superintendent, working across the county as a patrol officer, a detective and in roads policing before joining Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary at superintendent rank.
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Due to problems with the heating, the Boston Mass Vaccination Centre at PRSA (Princess Royal Sports Arena) had to close the site early today.
NHS Lincolnshire CCG said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused, however, we do plan to be open again tomorrow, Tuesday, November, 30.”
If you had an appointment for your covid vaccination this afternoon, Monday, November 29, you are welcome to attend PRSA on a walk-in basis tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, but please bring your appointment details with you.
An Accelerated Misconduct Hearing was held today, 29 November 2021, at Lincolnshire Police Headquarters, for former Special Constable George Cartwright, who was based at Horncastle Police Station.
Former Special Constable Cartwright was found to have breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of allegations in relation to:
Honesty and integrity
Confidentiality
Orders and Instructions
Discreditable Conduct
It was found that he had accessed a custody record that he had no policing purpose to do so. He also failed to be open and honest when asked for his response to the Force Auditor and attempted to mislead them into accepting he had a policing purpose for accessing the record.
The Chair of the Accelerated Misconduct Hearing, Chief Constable Chris Haward, found that the former Special Constable would have been dismissed had they still been a serving Special Constable.
After the hearing, Chief Constable Chris Haward, said: “It is clear to me from the evidence presented today the actions of former Special Constable Cartwright were serious and unacceptable. There is a reasonable and clear expectation, officers and staff must act lawfully and always be truthful.
“The breach amounted to gross misconduct. The outcome of the hearing was that former Special Constable Cartwright would have been dismissed had he still been a member of the police service. His name will also be placed on the College of Policing Barred List. He has a right of appeal to a Police Appeals Tribunal.”
We are appealing for information and offering security advice after a series of burglaries in Gainsborough.
In the last 24 hours we have had five reports which we are investigating. We believe the offences have been committed from early evening onwards with offenders taking advantage of the longer nights.
Incident 334 of 28 November at Elsham Walk. Offenders have smashed a rear window but were disturbed by the homeowner. It’s not believed anything was stolen.
Incident 374 of 28 November at Stirling Close. A rear patio door was smashed but nothing stolen.
Incident 377 of 28 November at the Avenue. A rear window was smashed but nothing believed stolen.
Incident 66 of 29 November, also at the Avenue. A rear door was smashed to gain entry to the property and a safe was stolen.
Incident 395 of 28 November at Marlow Road. A rear door was forced and jewelry stolen.
We would like to appeal to anyone who has witnessed anything relating to these crimes. We are also asking local residents to review private CCTV, doorbell and dash board cameras which may have captured footage to help the investigations.
We know that thieves often target homes where it looks like no one is in. There are some simple steps you can take particularly with lighting, as the nights draw in. You can find information and advice on security lighting here. This includes tips such as using light timers and external lighting. You can also find information in our Home Security section including advice about alarms and CCTV.
Insp Gary Brockie said, “We take matters like this very seriously. The impact these offences have on victims, when personal space is invaded and property stolen, can be severe. It’s upsetting and inconvenient at any time of year but particularly now, in the run up into the festive period.”
If you have any information or footage that could assist our investigations, please contact us in one of the following ways – please add the relevant incident number from the list above.
If you’ve been the victim of crime, support is available, whether you have reported the crime to the police or not. Victim Lincs provide free, confidential advice and guidance, as well as access to specialist emotional support services. Visit www.victimlincs.co.uk or call 01522 947510 Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm.
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