Page 208 - Once a copper 10 03 2020

respected Detective who got there by pure graft. Such was the vast
experience and knowledge Nigel accumulated over his 30 years, that he is
now a prolific author of police related books, ‘The Memoirs of a Birmingham
Policeman (1975-2005)’, British Serial Killers, The Story of Real Life Police
Murders.: (1945-2010), The Railway Police all available on Amazon.

DC Dave Forrester – Great bloke with the rare quality to combine thief taking
with sound all-round knowledge (deservedly promoted to Sergeant)

PC Terry Cleaver – The thief magnet I mentioned in the uniform section. On
the burglary squad he was in his absolute element. I can’t recall many days
when he hadn’t got a prisoner in the cells

PC Derek Forest – A harder working copper I never
met. I was to have the privilege of working with him
on a squad myself months later and I learned so
much from him and his methods. Some years after I
left the police, Dek passed his Sergeants and
Inspectors exams and literally flew through the ranks.

Derek and I were great mates in the job and locked
up many crooks together. Years later, we’ve met up Figure 95 Derek Forest OBE
a few times and stayed in touch with one another’s lives.

If there is one character who I reflect with most admiration for his ability and
achievements, it is Derek Forest.

Derek was awarded an OBE for Services to Policing in 2010, the build up to
which is in itself a fascinating story. Forgive me Derek if I don’t recall it exactly
as you related it to me, you’ve crammed the years with so much.

Derek joined the police 2 months before me and served 30 years and 1
month, retiring as Detective Superintendent in February 2010. He held
positions of Head of Forensic Services, UK DVI Commander and Senior
Investigator for serious and series crime including Kidnap.
Derek clocked up 30 years experience as a senior police officer in the UK and
global international law enforcement environments. As a qualified trainer.
and specialist in crime Investigation he was also a senior Investigating Officer
(SIO) for major crime.

Derek retired from West Midlands Police having served for 30 years, and
retired as a Detective Superintendent. He was a trained Senior Investigating
Officer (SIO) for serious and major crime and a trained Senior Identification
Manager (SIM) for Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) in mass fatality incidents.

Derek spent ten years as Head of the West Midlands Forensic Services Unit Page208
managing over 200 forensic experts and during that time was a prominent