Respected police officer retires after 46 years service

Colleagues past and present gathered to bid farewell to a respected colleague, Jeff Mead, on Wednessday 3 June  who has retired after serving 46 years with Devon & Cornwall Police as both an officer and police staff member.

Jeff joined the Force in May 1969 as a Police Constable, and served in Torquay, Bideford, Exeter Traffic, HQ PNC, and Newton Abbot CID.

He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1984 serving in both the Exeter and HQ Communications Departments, Heavitree Road and Exmouth police stations, before retiring in 1999.

Three days later he returned as a member of Police Staff working in Heavitree Road on the Pre Charge Case Review Team.

He later transferred to logistics, which is now known as the Resource Management Unit.

In reminiscing Jeff mentioned the followed highlights during his career:

In 1979 he arrested the most wanted man in Britain at Bicton Arena, Leslie Mosely Epstein, who was wanted for major Fraud.

He arrested an armed robber who was sought for several offences across the country, whilst on patrol on the M5. The offender was in possession of a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest.

He regularly represented the Force in various sports including Football, Basketball, Cricket and Table Tennis.

Jeff during his career served under no less than eight Chief Constables, and our current Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer who attended his farewell commented, “Jeff has left a legacy in his 46yrs of service, something that few others could achieve”.

In his retirement Jeff intends to spend time with his 2 Children and 1yr old Granddaughter.