‘There is a career for everybody within the Metropolitan Police Service’-Dedicated Police staff member retires after 48 years.

After serving 39 years working for the Metropolitan Police Service, Karen Winkworth is retiring. Karen, based at Romford Police station has decided to call time on her long and dedicated time in the force.

She told the Havering Daily:

“I joined the Metropolitan Police aged 17 years in 1976 straight from school.  I actually wanted to be a Police Officer, but was turned down on my height, as I was 5 foot.  I know things are different now.  

 “I started in the Solicitors Department in New Scotland Yard, I can even remember the room number– 1324.  I was promoted in August 1977 where I sat a Civil Service exam and became an administrative officer from an administrative assistant.  I stayed there until 1980 and then left to start a family as the travelling was too much for me.  I worked in Barking Nationwide until 1982, when I had my son and then in 1985 my daughter.”

 After the break from policing, Karen then decided it was time to head back and returned locally.

“I had a career break and returned to Romford Police Station in 1990, which was only supposed to be temporary… now 34 years on, I am still here! Since re-joining I have worked in Romford, in various civilian roles such as, Criminal Justice Unit dealing with court results and case papers.  I then become a Borough Intelligence Researcher working with CID looking at intelligence being given to us. 

“In 2008 I was asked to help set up the Safeguarding Public Protection Desk, working closely with social services on child safeguarding and I have been doing that ever since.  This unit has now grown from just me to twelve other researchers, based at the Havering Town Hall.

“Since returning to the Met I have loved my job.  It is different now to when I first joined – we used to have to hand write court results and use old fashioned typewriters, whereas now, there are so many various IT systems.  I really feel the sense of community and family within the job, this I will really miss.  I have made some true friends throughout my career.  I retire in May and although I am looking forward to my next chapter, I will be truly sad to leave my Police family, I wish anybody who is about to start the career every success!   I would say there is a career for everybody within the Metropolitan Service.”

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