Former Melton police officer retires but daughter carries on family tradition

A former Melton police officer has retired after 30 years service, but his daughter is carrying on the family tradition as a constable in the Leicestershire force.
By Nick Rennie
Published 6th May 2020, 13:01 BST
Former Melton police officer, Det Insp John Gray, with daughter Rebecca, who has followed him into the Leicestershire Police force EMN-200605-114559001Former Melton police officer, Det Insp John Gray, with daughter Rebecca, who has followed him into the Leicestershire Police force EMN-200605-114559001
Former Melton police officer, Det Insp John Gray, with daughter Rebecca, who has followed him into the Leicestershire Police force EMN-200605-114559001

Det Insp John Gray had two spells based at Melton police station.

And daughter Rebecca is now a PC working in the Hinckley and Blaby Neighbourhood Policing Area.

He said: “I didn’t influence her at all.

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“I’ve told her that it’s a good career and when she showed an interest, I didn’t discourage her.”

John grew up near Newcastle in the north-east and came south to study biological sciences at the University of Leicester.

Afterwards he decided to apply to join Leicestershire Police and got in.

His first posting was to the city centre and he recalled: “I’d say public order was a bigger issue back then than it is now.

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“I think problems with drinking were a lot worse in the 90s than now.”

He first worked in Melton in 1999.

John said: “I was based in Melton, working as a rural sergeant. It did take some getting used to. It’s very different to policing in the city. The noticeable difference was that you didn’t have the same number of officers available. If you required assistance, it was much quicker in the city.”

His career took him back to the city before he came back to Melton as an inspector and NPA commander.