Popular Stevenage Inspector retires in the town where it all began
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After 30 years with Hertfordshire Constabulary, Inspector John Nelms spent his final day on duty in the very station where his policing career all started.
John joined the force in July 1994 in Stevenage, and after completing his first two years as a response officer in the town, then moved around the county to various different postings, including roads policing and the force control room.
He returned to Stevenage and North Herts in January 2019 as an Inspector, managing the response teams. Almost all of his service has been in uniform on 24/7 shifts.
Born and bred in Bristol, John moved to Hertfordshire to join the police and lived in Stevenage for many years. He now lives in Bedfordshire with wife Sharon, who retired from policing three years ago. John is an active member of Fairlands valley Spartans running club in Stevenage and a keen marathon runner, having completed well over 100 marathons in the last 10 years.
Johns last duty was to lay the wreath on behalf of the Constabulary at the Stevenage Remembrance Day commemoration on Sunday.
“I can recall walking into Stevenage police station on day one almost 30 years ago like it was yesterday,” said John. “I’ve worked with some amazing people around the county throughout my career and have had some great opportunities to be involved in lots of different areas of policing, but I always wanted to return to response policing Stevenage and North Herts, to finish my career where it started. I will miss the job and the fantastic people in Herts Police immensely.”
Superintendent Anna Wright added: I’d like to thank John for his dedication and commitment to the force and wish him well in his retirement. He has had a busy and successful career and will be greatly missed, not just for his experience and excellent leadership skills, but for his commitment to his officers and staff.”
Photographs show: John as a trainee constable and John receiving his certificate of service and recognition coin from Chief Constable Charlie Hall.
