Les retired from the police service on 8th February 1978 as a Chief Superintendent in charge of Dunfermline Police Station.

Les pictured with his granddaughter, Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan and Superintendent Sandy Brodie.

In keeping with the wider police family, Les’s granddaughter Jen joined him during the visit.

Over a cup of coffee Les regaled Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan and Superintendent Sandy Brodie with stories of old.
We were able to locate his personnel record which showed Les’s history as a police officer and the many station moves during his service.

During his service, each station move meant a house move too. He fondly recalled how six officers would be detailed to assist with removals at this time. Commencing within the police service, Les explained that the uniform was the old ‘high neck’ tunics and he would be issued with a set of old handcuffs and a wooden baton as means of personal protection.

Whilst we have modern technology to support us, Les recalled how he had to take a public bus or cycle from Kennoway to the sub-divisional office at Methil to uplift the internal mail. If he had an arrest, Les would have to take the prisoner on the public bus or ask the chemist, local pub or newsagent to use their phone to seek the only vehicle available.

During his service, Les worked all across Fife and, in 1958, was seconded to the National Police Training school at Whitburn. This was the forerunner to the current national police training facility at Tulliallan and comprised of a number of Nissan Huts and prefabricated buildings that had formerly been a Scottish Auxiliary Fire Service station.