Death of retired Police Officer, PC1712 William (Bill) Simpson (Updated)

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer, PC1712 William (Bill)Simpson, who died at home at Burnhope on Saturday 17th December 2022,aged 69 years. 

Bill was appointed by Durham Constabulary on 1st May 1972 and underwent his initial training at Newby Wiske, North Yorkshire.  He served at Bishop Auckland, West Auckland, Coundon, again at Bishop Auckland (Assistant Jailer) and finally at Barnard Castle. 

Bill also carried out a period of duty in 1982 as Temporary Detective Constable and it was during that time that he and the late James (Jim) Brian Porter attended a report of a robbery at Chamberlain Phipps’ factory at Greenfields Industrial Estate, Bishop Auckland.  He was stood alongside Jim when shots were fired at them.  The two officers fell to the ground, Jim being fatally wounded, the event played heavily on Bill’s mental health.  

He medically retired on 11th March 1999. following this incident, 

Bill was one of three officers to be awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.

Bill is survived by his son Peter, daughter-in-law Katharine, his grandchildren and great grandchild.

A funeral service is to be held at 11.30am on Tuesday 1st August 2023 at Stranton Crematorium, Tanfield Road, Hartlepool TS25 5DD, just off the A689 (Opposite Morrisons Petrol Station).

The funeral is NOT private and the family request that where possible, you wear something with a touch of blue.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu to Suicide Prevention UK (https://www.spuk.org.uk/)

Following the funeral, friends and colleagues are invited to join the family at The Causeway Public House, Church Row, Hartlepool TS24 7QT.

Our thoughts are with Bill’s family at this sad and tragic time.

We would encourage as many as possible of Bill’s friends and past colleagues to attend his funeral service.  To assist the family with numbers, would those who are likely to attend please notify Ray Jones by text or email (07535261063 / rayjones2341@gmail.com) 

Durham Peeler : Summer 2023

Ray Jones (Durham NARPO chairman) and Editor of the magazine Durham Peeler has been hard at work over the past few months to produce the latest (Summer 2023) edition of the magazine

Members should by now have had a copy of the Peeler  dropping through their letterbox 

Ray said "I sincerely thank all of the volunteers who helped with the latest (Summer 2023) edition of the Durham Peeler magazine.  

The compilation of the magazine is very time consuming and the content and quality of the magazine relies heavily on reports, articles and photographs provided by its readers.  

If you have anything, either current or historic, please forward it to me for consideration of its inclusion."

If anyone is able to help with the packaging or delivery to fellow NARPO members local to them of the magazine in the future would they please contact Ray Jones (Durham NARPO chairman) .

Ray is available on : 07535 261063 or via email : rayjones2341@gmail.com

To view the Summer 2023 edition of the Durham Peeler online please either click on the image above or on this link : Click here to view Durham Peeler - Summer 2023

Whickham Police Reunion

A Whickham Police Reunion is to take place at Swalwell cricket club on Wednesday 9th August 2023. If you were stationed there or in Traffic, Dog Section or other branches based there or if you were a member of the police club all including civilian staff are welcome to come along.

This is not a ticket event just turn up from 7pm to have a drink and a chat with former colleagues.

Swalwell Cricket Club is at Derwenthaugh Park Spa Well Road Blaydon NE21 6JA

Follow signs for A694 Consett Rowlands Gill from A1 and Club is on left. It is situated before the village of Winlaton Mill.

Heroic police officers who died in the line of duty will be remembered by colleagues during a charity cycle ride

Officers from Durham Constabulary are taking part in The Police Unity Tour at the end of this month to raise money for the Care of Police Survivors (COPS) – a charity which supports families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. The tour is an annual long-distance ride that sees hundreds of police officers, staff, and their families converge on the UK Police Memorial at the National Arboretum, in Staffordshire, to remember their fallen colleagues.

On Thursday, July 26, Assistant Chief Constable Tonya Antonis, Inspector Ed Turner, and Sergeant Pete Tate will set off on their four-day ride, during which they will cover 260 miles, before arriving at the arboretum on Sunday where they will take part in a special service to remember those who have lost their lives on duty.

They will also be joined by Inspector Lee Morris and Phil Stephenson, from Durham Police Federation, who will be providing support to the riders throughout their journey. The trio will leave Durham City and head first to Coxhoe, where they will pay tribute to Durham officer, PC William Shiell, who was tragically shot dead after responding to reports of a burglary on March 1, 1940.  (https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7985873.police-officers-murder-sent-shockwaves-village/)

The 29-year-old left behind a young widow and a three-year-old daughter. All of Coxhoe stopped work for his funeral, at which around 200 of his fellow officers attended. His killers, William Appleby and Vincent Ostler, from Bradford, were convicted of the murder and sentenced to death by hanging on July 10, 1940.

From Coxhoe, they will head down to York where they will join other riders from the North East Chapter and make the onward journey to Staffordshire over the next three days.

ACC Antonis, who is taking part in the full event for the first time, said: “This is a very special event, and it is a real honour to be part of it this year. “Every day our officers and staff head off to work and put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities; but tragically, some of them don’t return home to their families after their shift has ended. “This event is a way to honour our colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to raise awareness for the amazing work that COPS does in supporting their bereaved families.”

Inspector Turner added: “It is always a real privilege to take part in this event. It is more than just a cycle ride – it is a chance for us to collectively ride in memory of our fallen colleagues, to show that we, as a police service, will never forget their sacrifice. “This challenge is not about any of us riders, but for the families of the colleagues we’ve lost in the line of duty. We serve and ride for them.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ukputnortheastchapter23

NARPO Annual Luncheon - 3rd September 2023

Please Note:

The name for our branch bank account has been incorrectly given in the latest edition of the Durham Peeler.

The name of the account is: Durham County Branch of the National Association of Retired Police Officers and not as stated on page 22 of the magazine.

Apologies to anyone who has encountered any difficulty in trying to pay for the luncheon via BACS payment.

Death of Retired Police Officer: PC1712 William (Bill) Simpson

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the death of retired Police Officer, PC1712 William (Bill) Simpson.  Many of you will know that Bill was at the side of the late DC James (Jim) Brian Porter when he was fatally injured at Woodhouses, Bishop Auckland on 4th March 1982.

Durham NARPO Chairman, Ray Jones is urgently attempting to compile a eulogy to be read at Bill's funeral, once arranged.  If anyone is able to provide any service history, experiences or anecdotes for Bill, please contact Ray asap by text, email or telephone call via:

Tel: 07535 261063 / email:  rayjones2341@gmail.com 

A more detailed notice will be published once funeral arrangements have been finalised.

Next meeting of the Durham Branch of NARPO : Thursday 13th July 2023

The next meeting of the Durham Branch of NARPO is to be held Thursday 13th July 2023 at 7.30pm, Bishop Auckland Hospital Social Club, 32A Escomb Road, Bishop Auckland DL14 6TZ.

Please remember these meeting are open to all members and we would be pleased to see you.

In order to facilitate buffet catering, would those intending to attend please contact one of the following in the order that they appear:

Sue Knaggs   07932 613031

Stuart Ingram   07989 333025

Ray Jones   07535 261063

Death of a retired Police Officer : Supt. Ronald Mcallister

It is with regret that we have to report the death of a retired Police Officer : Supt. Ronald Mcallister, aged 85 years, a member of Sunderland Branch of NARPO.Hr retired in 1992

Mr Mcallister  died  at a hospital  in Leeds on Saturday 1st July 2023.  He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Their home address and telephone number are as follows; 15 The Crescent, Alwoodley, Leeds, LS17 7L

He served in both Durham and Northumbria Forces. Above information provided by Sunderland Narpo