LOOKBACK
for Bravery, a Lancashire Constabulary honour he received after capturing an armed criminal following a rooftop chase. John retired as a chief superintendent in Lancaster in 1986, having served the force for 30 years.
During his time with Lancashire
Constabulary, John held fond memories of driving the MGA Roadster. “When we first arrived at the police driving school, we saw all these officers sitting in them with their sunglasses on, smiling,” he recalled with a smile. Standing at over six feet tall, getting into the compact sports car was a bit of a challenge, but John remembers the thrill of driving it. “They were lovely cars to drive, though it’s a bit harder for me to get behind the wheel now that I’m in my 90s.” Despite the car’s elegance and charm, it
had its quirks. The engine, while powerful, was known to be temperamental. However, it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 12.2 seconds, which was fairly quick for the time. With a top speed of 110 mph and a fuel efficiency of 27 miles per gallon, the MGA Roadster was an effective tool for police work, capable of keeping up with lawbreakers on the road. In Lancashire, these MGAs were divided into two contingents: the white “A Class” and the black “B Class.” They featured uprated running gear similar to the 1600 Deluxe model but differed in having drum rear brakes instead of discs and bolt-on steel wheels. After his retirement from the police force, John took on a new role as the
superintendent of Darwen Market, where he continued to serve his community. His commitment to public service is a family tradition, one that extends across generations. John met his wife, Megan, at the police regional training centre in Warrington, and their shared passion for policing continued through their children. Their two sons and daughter all went on to follow in their parents’ footsteps, each serving in the police force. Today, John is not only a proud father but also a
grandfather and great-grandfather, passing down a legacy of service and dedication to the next generations. For John, the experience of reuniting with the MGA Roadster was more than just a trip down memory lane. It was a reminder of a career filled with adventure, camaraderie, and a deep sense of purpose. As he stood beside the gleaming sports car, reflecting on the past, he encapsulated the sentiment shared by many retired officers: “Time flies”.
43 | POLICE | OCTOBER | 2024
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