It is with regret that we have to announce the death of a retired Police Officer, Ch/Supt Raymond Norman Dinning, who died suddenly in the University Hospital of North Durham on 13th October 2021, aged 87 years.
Ray joined Durham County Constabulary, as a cadet in July 1950 before being called up for National Service with the RAF in 1952. He then returned to the Durham force in 1954, where he commenced his initial training and probationary period; some 21 days later he was transferred to CID at Chester-le-Street.
In 1963 he was promoted to D/Sgt at Police HQ, then posted to Regional Crime Squad in 1965 and appointed Designated No. 2 Regional Squad Murder Room Administrator. Ray was promoted D/Insp at Gateshead in 1970 and to Detective Chief Inspector / Commanding Officer of No 2 Regional Crime Squad in 1972.
4-years later he was recalled to the Durham Force and took command of the Discipline and Complaints Department, where in 1977 he was promoted to Superintendent. In 1980 Ray became Deputy Departmental Head of the Force CID. In November, 1981 he was again seconded to No. 2 Regional Crime Squad, with the rank of Detective Chief Superintendent and Regional Commander of the Squad.
Ray retired from the Police Service in June 1989, however, for many years after he retained the position of President of No2. Regional Crime Squad Association until it was disbanded.
He will also be remembered for his dedicated and charitable work in Freemasonry, in which he had held a considerable number of senior positions.
Sadly, Ray’s wife, Margaret Rose Dinning (nee Dawson) also a retired Police Officer, PW48, passed away in April 2017.
Ray is survived by son Steven and wife Jennifer, daughter Tracey and wife Joanne,
grandchildren Kirsty and Andrew, Kirsty’s husband Alex and Andrew’s partner Jill.
The funeral is to take place at 11.30pm on Friday 12th November 2021, at St Mary and St Cuthbert’s Church, Church Chare, Chester-le-Street DH3 3QB, followed by a Private Committal Service at Durham Crematorium.
Family flowers only, donations in lieu to the British Heart Foundation.
Our thoughts are with Ray’s family at this sad time.
