Desmond O’Brien Chief Constable CBE QPM. British Transport Police 1989 – 1997
Desmond O’Brien was appointed Chief Constable of British Transport Police in April 1989, having previously served as the Deputy Chief Constable of Kent Constabulary from 1983 and Assistant Chief Constable in Greater Manchester from 1978 to 1983.
Mr O’Brien began his distinguished police career in the Royal Ulster Constabulary (now PSNI) where he rose to the rank of Chief Superintendent in 1974. Among the roles he undertook in the RUC were the head of the Anti-Sectarian Murder Squad and the Special Patrol Group. He was seconded to the Police Staff College in Bramshill where he ran multi agency contingency planning training for major incidents relating in particular to terrorism. He was also involved in the national working group that in 1982, developed the national ‘Tactical Options Manual’ which provided the standard for police public order operations in England and Wales.
He became Chief Constable of British Transport police at a particularly challenging time for the force. The relationship between the force and the rail industry was not strong and the Police Committee had commissioned an external review of the force which whilst not finalised proposed drastic measures that would have prevented the force functioning as a meaningful police organisation.
As Chief Constable, Desmond O’ Brien saw the fundamental flaws in the proposal but knew he needed a counter proposal that would provide a better policing service and win the hearts and minds of a rail industry that was sceptical about the benefits of the force. The scale of the task facing the new Chief Constable cannot be overstated and he set about producing a strategy to transform the force and make the industry realise that the benefits of having a specialist professional police force keeping the rail and underground networks safe were substantial and would contribute to their commercial success.
The implementation of the reorganisation was a major factor in turning around the perception of the force and the skills and dedication of its officers and staff. The Chief Constable began to build much stronger and positive relations with the industry, ACPO and government. These developments proved to be extremely timely as in 1991, the resumption of attacks by Irish Republican terrorists on railway targets would test the resilience of these improving relationships. In the first few weeks following the attacks at Paddington and Victoria stations in London, the threat of attacks on the transport system created huge disruption, especially in London. In a remarkably short period of time the force began to develop proactive plans to counter the problem of disruption through managing the huge volume of bomb threats being received on a daily basis. Desmond O’Brien together with his senior team worked hand in hand with senior colleagues from the transport sector to build trust and co-operative working arrangements.
A threat assessment model that became recognised as world leading was developed and the level of disruption fell dramatically. The threat to major transport hubs was significantly reduced and the force developed further capabilities to ensure that unless it was absolutely necessary, the transport system could operate with confidence. The relationship with the rail industry that had been so fragile when he became Chief Constable was transformed.
Desmond O’Brien was also able to use the momentum to improve the status of the force within the wider police service and BTP chief officers became members of the most important ACPO Committees, included Terrorism and Crime.
By the time of his retirement, BTP had been transformed as an organisation, it was better resourced, equipped and trained than ever before. It’s reputation, particularly in relation to the threat of terrorism to public mass transit systems was international with visits to the force and BTP personnel being asked to go overseas to assist transport police agencies around the globe. His legacy was to take a force that was facing severe and potentially terminal changes and unenthusiastic stakeholders to one that was confident, outward looking and focused on delivering a safe and secure rail and underground system throughout Britain. He rebuilt trust with stakeholders and instilled pride in the force.
The history of British Transport Police will rightly celebrate his tenure as critical to the continued development of the force into the 21st Century.
Desmond O’Brien passed away on Friday 4th February following a period of illness. Our sympathy goes to his wife Susan and daughter Tamsin.
Paul Robb
Extract from the March 2022 edition of History Lines (No. 135)
Webmaster’s Note: Paul Robb Q.P.M. is the President of BTPHG and a former BTP Assistant Chief Constable.