Dorset Police news site

Dorset Police recently made the dreams of care home resident Peter come true with an experience he will never forget, marking 20 years since he retired from policing after serving his community for over 48 years.

Peter, who lives in Care South’s Elizabeth House home, retired from Dorset Police in 2006 having spent most of his career working as a scenes of crime officer, which is now more commonly known as a crime scene investigator or CSI.

He joined Dorset Police in 1957 as an ambitious police cadet before becoming a warranted officer two years later. Upon retirement his dedication and commitment to the criminal justice system was described as exemplary, having been instrumental in securing forensic evidence across thousands of investigations.

The Elizabeth House team reached out to Dorset Police asking if Peter could have a trip down memory lane as part of their ‘Make a Wish’ initiative. The special initiative encourages residents to share hobbies and passions they once enjoyed but are now unable to pursue without the home’s support. The care home team then works to bring the special wishes to life.

Dorset Police rose to the challenge, giving Peter a ride out in a police car including setting off the lights and sirens as well as a tour of Poole custody – a significantly more modern facility for handling detainees than in his former days with the Force. Peter’s skills were also called upon when Kate Baldwin, who is a manager within regional forensics, asked Peter to assist in the dusting of fingerprints from a glass bottle – with Peter rising to the challenge with his expertise immediately coming back to him in the fictitious scenario. Kate worked with Peter in forensics prior to his retirement, making the reunion not only a special moment for Peter but also Kate too.

Peter said: “It made me very emotional when I met Josh the police officer and I saw the police car in the home’s car park. I will cherish and treasure that special afternoon for many years to come as it brought back so many beautiful memories for me.”

Police Constable Josh Warren from Poole Neighbourhood Policing Team who facilitated the visit for Peter said: “Peter is an inspiration to us all and it was an absolute pleasure to offer him this experience. I’ve been in Dorset Police for four years and to look at Peter’s career and see where mine could potentially go is fantastic – he has brought a lot of positivity for me personally. I think it is so important for us to recognise those who have dedicated their lives to policing. It was an emotional day and one I will never forget.”

Kate Baldwin, regional forensics co-ordinator, said: “It was amazing to reunite with Peter having served alongside him when I first began my career and he was coming to the end of his. To see his forensic skills in action despite many years away from the profession was a delight and brought a tear to not only my eye but of everyone involved.”

Peter was supported throughout the experience by Donna Moss, Home Manager for Elizabeth House, and Mirela Toma, Activities Lead for the home, who wore a novelty ‘burglar’ fancy dress outfit during the visit.

Donna Moss, Home Manager at Elizabeth House, said: “We are so grateful to the team at Dorset Police for helping us to enable Peter to rekindle some very happy memories from his working career. He was thrilled to meet Josh from Poole Neighbourhood Policing Team who shared highlights with Peter about his time with the police so far, as well as reuniting with Kate who worked alongside Peter in the forensics team.

"At Care South, we are proud to support and enable the wishes of our residents and love to work with our local community to make this happen, so this was a perfect opportunity to work alongside Dorset Police to bring Peter’s wish to life and celebrate a long career that meant so much to him.”