Author: Viv Head

 

BTPHG Honorary Secretary Bill Rogerson has finally retired from BTP after a career spanning five decades, having joined BTP in April 1971 as a Constable. After spells as a Detective and Sergeant at Leicester and Crewe, Bill was appointed Sergeant-in-Charge at Holyhead in 1986 before retiring in 2001. However, four years later, he returned to the force as Community Partnership Co-ordinator, which he filled until the role became redundant last month.

Bill, an Honorary Welshman, lives in Valley, Anglesey , but is originally from Morecambe – says he has no regrets over his long career.

“BTP has been a huge part of my life for the best part of 40 years, and  on the whole they’ve been very happy times. During the course of my career I’ve  met everyone from down-and-outs to the Queen. My philosophy throughout has been  to treat each person equally, which I think has stood me in good stead.”

Bill was appointed MBE in 1995 for services to BTP – something which he described as “a huge surprise and quite an honour”. (He may have been particularly surprised because not too long previously he had arrested a peer of the realm for being drunk and disorderly at Birmingham.)  Bill has seen huge changes over the years – including the introduction of the CPS and PACE- “When I first started we didn’t have the CPS – you had to be judge, jury and executioner. You’d arrest somebody, prepare the file, take it to court and prosecute it. A lot of bobbies nowadays don’t go to court, but we were there every day.”

Chief Inspector Sandra England, BTP’s Sector Commander for Wales , said: “I’d like to sincerely thank Bill for his enormous contribution to BTP over the past 40 years. He’s been a credit to his area and the force, and he will be missed by us all.”

I might also add that he has always been hugely popular with his fellow officers and remains a stalwart figure in his local community – over the years he has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity, most especially for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. On behalf of all your BTPHG colleagues Bill – well done and have a great birthday bash later this month.

Viv Head, Chairman BTPHG

(Re-produced with thanks from the Wales & Western Area weekly bulletin)

From the BTP website –

The rail system has largely been able to operate during the recent difficult circumstances in London and various towns and cities across England.

Our officers are out in force and have dealt with some minor problems, but no serious incidents. We will intervene should incidents occur and will take a robust approach to any disorder in support of our local police colleagues. Our priority remains ensuring the safety of the railways and those who work within it and travel on it, and our operations are supporting this.

From The Times –

Chief Constable Andy Trotter urged minsters to stop ‘pretending’ sweeping cuts to budgets would not affect front line policing.

From FaceBook –

Our people have been truly magnificent… they have been in the thick of it; particularly when the trouble in Croydon was at its height. We had officers under attack including by petrol bomb. I can tell you that BTP has stepped up to the plate and displayed great courage, Integrity, resilience and professional competence. I am very proud of out people and I am sure you are too. As always the very worst situations brings out the very best in police officers.

From Twitter –

We are deploying 21 Mobile Support Units across London and UK city centres to respond to any disorder in key areas.

and

Huge thanks to our Special Constables who’ve risen to the challenge of recent events supporting frontline officers & the rail network.

Well done every one.