It is with regret that we have to inform you of the death of a retired Police Officer : Chief Inspector 1388 Gordon Smith who died on 2nd September 2014, aged 71 years.
Gordon joined Durham Constabulary in 1960 and served as a Police Cadet for two years before being appointed as a constable on 1st April 1962 when his first posting was to Consett. He later served at Bleach Green, Whickham then at Stockton where he undertook roles on Beat Duty, as Divisional Car Driver and in Motor Patrols. He continued to serve with Motor Patrols moving to Durham in March 1968. In 1971 he was attached to Fingerprints returning to Motor Patrols in 1972. In 1973 he moved back to Consett, leaving there in 1976 on promotion to Sgt at Durham City. In 1979 he was seconded to Dishforth as an Instructor returning after 2 years to work at Durham City then at Meadowfield Section.
He was promoted to Inspector and had a further secondment as an Instructor from 1983, serving two years at Pannal Ash, Harrogate. Gordon returned to force in 1985 initially at Chester-le-Street then in Force Training where he was promoted to Chief Inspector. After he left Training he went into Control Room and then Criminal Justice Admin retiring on 25th May 1997.
Mr Smith leaves a widow Vivienne, daughters Julie and Louise, sons-in-law Rex and Steve and grandchildren Ana and Alice.
Gordon’s funeral has already taken place and our thoughts remain with his family during this difficult and sad time.
