A RETIRING police officer has been highlighted in the Scottish Parliament as community figures toasted his 21 years’ service.

Haddington community officer Colin Boyd stepped down last Monday.

Representatives of Haddington and District Community Council visited the police station to make a presentation, while the officer’s colleagues also paid tribute.

Haddington’s councillors also wished him well, while Craig Hoy, South Scotland MSP, lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament noting the officer’s efforts.

Chief Inspector Jocelyn O’Connor, East Lothian local area commander, said PC Boyd would be missed.

She said: “He has a wealth of local knowledge which has made him a first-class community and response officer.

“It is testament to Colin that on his last day at work, rather than getting the slippers on, he went out with his fellow community officer PC Viv Black, carrying out speed checks at local schools, attending emergency incidents and visiting some of the outlying villages.

“He had to be prised out the door.

“Colin, I, in my role as local area commander, thank you for the service you have provided to the community and the support and advice you have provided to your police colleagues over the last 21 years.”

Gifts

Pat Lemmon and Graham Samuel, from Haddington’s community council, visited the town’s police station to mark the officer’s final shift. Mrs Lemmon, vice-chairwoman, and Mr Samuel, secretary, handed over a card and a bottle of single malt whisky to PC Boyd.

They said: “We wanted to thank him for the valuable contribution he has made to community policing in our ward. Community policing is all about developing a partnership with the local community, identifying problems, and Colin has been the linchpin of getting our problems identified and actioned.”

Mr Hoy’s motion, which was supported by East Lothian MSP Paul McLennan and South Scotland MSP Martin Whitfield, noted that PC Boyd joined Lothian and Borders Police in April 2001 following a career in the RAF.

He first served at Craigmillar Police Station before moving to Leith.

The motion continues: “In 2007, Colin successfully applied for a transfer to East Lothian, where he lives with his partner, and where he has served the majority of his service, as a uniformed response officer, custody officer and, for the last three years, it believes, as a much-respected and popular community beat officer in Haddington; considers that Colin spent his whole service in uniform and public-facing roles, with the aim of keeping people safe; believes that he has a vast wealth of operational and local knowledge, and that he has always shared this with colleagues to ensure the best possible service is provided to the communities of East Lothian; considers that he will be sorely missed by his colleagues, community groups and residents; thanks Colin for his service in helping to keep the people of East Lothian and Edinburgh safe, and wishes him all the best in his retirement.”

'Lucky' to have him

Provost John McMillan, ward councillor, was also among those offering kind words and said the area had been “lucky” to have PC Boyd.

The councillor also took to social media to wish the retiring constable well in his retirement. He described him as a “great colleague, excellent community service, leadership, partnering and teamwork”.

Ward colleague Councillor Shamin Akhtar also wished PC Boyd well on social media.

She said: “I want to thank him for the valuable contribution and positive relationships he has built in the ward.

“He has been a great example of the difference good community policing makes.”