Thank you for years of service

Mar 27 2008 by Lisa Jones, South Wales Echo

Thank you for years of service

POLICE officers and support workers have been rewarded for their dedication and years of service.

In front of friends and family, South Wales Police force’s finest got something back for all their hard work – a long service and good conduct medal.

Detective Constable Robert Jones was one of 97 people at the event in Margam Park’s Orangery.

DC Jones started as a community officer in Grangetown, Cardiff, 23 years ago, moving to the force drug squad.

But his duties have taken his all over the world when he was seconded to the United Nations Police. In Bosnia in 1997, he helped investigate police misconduct. And in East Timor in 1999, he helped evacuate UN staff after three refugee workers were murdered and their nearby UN office destroyed.

He said: “The highlights of my career have been overseas secondments, living with local families and integrating with communities and cultures very different from my own.”

Sergeant Paul Revers has also been with the force for 23 years, all with Vale of Glamorgan police.

He said: “The highlight of my career was when I met Princess Diana at the opening of the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend where she shook my hand and thanked me for my contribution in making the day run smoothly.”

Two stalwarts of South Wales Police’s civilian staff at the Bridgend headquarters are Val Jenkins and Gaynor Cassidy, who have put in 21 years’ service.

Val, a secretary to the command team, joined when she was a 17-year-old teenager. She would have served for even longer but for a break in service.

She said: “I joined what was then known as the South Wales Constabulary in 1973, as a shorthand typist. I feel very honoured and proud to have received this award.”

Station inquiry clerk Gaynor Cassidy has dealt with her fair share of stray animals in her 21 years.

She said: “I remember looking after lost or injured animals that were brought into the station by members of the public – we had injured seagulls, dogs, kittens, and even a duck.

“Being able to help re-unite lost children with their parents or returning a lost purse with money to an elderly person at Christmas time, are some of the happier memories I have while working as a station inquiry clerk.”

lisa.jones@mediawales.co.uk