It is with great sadness and regret that we report the sudden death of Mark Smith, who retired as Detective Chief Superintendent. It has been reported that he suffered a heart attack on 2nd February 2019. Whilst he wasn’t a member, a good number of retired officers will have known him. Sadly, Mark Smith, former Chief Superintendent/ Area Commander London North, passed away on 2nd February, believed to be from a Heart Attack. He was 56. Upon retirement, he took up the civilian role of Head of Suicide Prevention & Mental Health, based at FHQ. Mark joined the Force in 1981 and retired as a police officer in 2013. He was awarded the MBE in 2016. He was a thoroughly good man and many people who worked with him hold him in very high esteem.

I have been notified (2018) of the death of Dave Hunt, ex-Detective Sergeant at Bristol. It appears he had suffered a short bought of Cancer and passed away some days ago. His wife, Fran Hunt, has been in contact with Bill Tee to say this will be a very family, private funeral and does not wish to be contacted by any past or current officers other than to raise a glass to his passing.

Robert Searle served as Cadet, PC and DC at Cardiff Docks and Rail. It is understood that Rob was diagnosed with a terminal cancerous brain tumour earlier in 2017. He died on 27 December 2017 aged 67. His funeral took place on 18th January 2018 at 12:30 at St Luke's Church on Cowbridge Road East (Near Victoria Park). He was buried at Western Cemetery on Cowbridge Road West.

It is with regret that I have to inform you that Clifford Plaskitt a retired officer of the BTP and a life member of this Association passed away on Saturday 14th October 2017. Clifford served both at Grimsby and Doncaster and retired in 1985.

On Sept 1st 2017, Dave Howell died suddenly at home as a result of a heart attack; he was 57 years old. He was born in South London in Nov 1959 and moved down to Kent with his family 3yrs later. After leaving school, he worked for Peter Frankel & Partners as a draughtsman, and later for London Transport, where he studied engineering. He joined the BTP on June 2nd 1986. Stationed at Victoria on London South. Having successfully shone throughout his probation, Dave went seamlessly into the CID at Victoria, where he again proved himself to be an excellent detective and fellow officer. He met his wife Sue in 1990 whilst attending a CID course in Liverpool and eventually relocated from London Victoria to Preston as a DC. Whilst in the North West, Dave worked as both a uniformed and a CID officer at various locations, including Liverpool, Southport, and Manchester, among others, eventually gaining promotion to Sergeant. Throughout his career moves, Dave still managed to complete a BA (Hons) in Public Policy and Administration and eventually gained promotion to Inspector. He was posted to FHQ in Camden and worked tirelessly on policy and projects, including Suicide prevention, before retiring in 2014. Following his retirement, Dave travelled widely and spent time in his shed, creating and building as he had throughout his life. He was an active member of his local community and was well liked by many who met him. Over 200 people attended his funeral, and ex-Chief Supt Myles Flood read out his eulogy. Dave leaves behind his wife Sue, Daughters Joanna and Ashleigh and Son Jacob. Following his funeral, his wife Sue posted the following message. To say a big, big thank you to everyone for your love, support and kindness. We, Team Howell, are so immensely proud of Dave and did our best to give him a good send-off. We couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for all your cards, letters, stories, flowers, messages; they have all helped us along this journey we never thought we would have to make. Thank you for travelling in some cases very long distances, to support us at his 'Celebration of Life' ceremony. When I said at the funeral that Dave thought nobody liked him, I wasn't joking; that's what he told me. How wrong was he? The words don't seem adequate,  but once again, a very big thank you from Team Howell.

I have today been informed by an anonymous letter that NARBTPO member Mr Douglas Frank LANGRISH (50291) died on 18/06/2017. Regrettably, this is all the information we have

William Norman Oakes started in Birmingham in 1950, moved to Wigan in 1951, made DC at Liverpool in 1960, U/Sgt Derby 1963, DS Birmingham/Coventry in 1966 and stayed there till he left the job in 1978. Afterwards, he took a hotel in Blackpool until he moved into a nursing home c. 2013. I understand that he died earlier last year.

From the BTP Federation:

We are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague, PC Ricki Sandhu. This is a difficult time for his family, friends and colleagues, and they are all in our thoughts.

Our reps are on hand to provide support to those affected by Ricki's death. There are also links and phone numbers on our website for support services within BTP and externally. That information is available here: https://btpolfed.org.uk/welfare