GMP welcomes the fourth generation of a policing family steeped in history into the ranks

Helping members of the public and bringing criminals to justice has been the driving force behind 86 years’ of service by one policing family.

The crime fighting family’s journey into policing began in August 1924 with Edwin Clark, who was recruited into Dumfriesshire Constabulary. He served there for a while before transferring to Bolton Borough Police in the traffic unit, after he met his wife, Mary, who hailed from the local area.

In a move that was representative of the times, Police Sergeant Edwin Clark began his police career following a conversation with a senior police officer on a fishing lodge in Scotland.

Edwin’s brother, Hector Clark, was also a police officer, with Stranraer Police, based in Dumfries and Galloway.

Edwin Clark

Edwin’s career began the ball rolling on 86 years of police service within the family and 12 years after he retired, his son, Detective Sergeant Douglas Clark took up the mantle. In 1966, Douglas left his job on the railway lines to join the police.

At that time, there was a big recruitment drive by the police so, after speaking with his father to get some advice, Douglas decided to become an officer. He enjoyed a successful 30-year career which saw him working for Bolton Borough CID, Whitefield CID and the Regional Crime Squad.

He also fulfilled the role of an armed protection officer for an MP.

DS Andy Clark, Douglas’ son, credits his father with him being the third generation to join the force in 1999.

He said: “When I was a boy, I would hear my father talk about the exciting things he’d been a part of at GMP including when he was recruiting confidential informants (CI’s). He would talk about going out to meet them and then the people he would lock up on the back of the information he managed to get.

"Back then, when my dad used to patrol the streets, he would wear the big hat and cape. Police were very much respected in those days, and he would have people come up to him to talk when he was patrolling. He used to tell me that his Sergeant would pay surprise visits to make sure that him and his fellow officers’ uniforms were correct!”

Douglas Clark

Andy joined GMP in 1999 and after completing his training in Warrington, Andy worked on division at Collyhurst for three years, before joining the Tactical Aid Unit, a position that Andy really enjoyed.

He was even part of a team who went to Thailand following the Tsunami on Boxing Day in December 2004, to recover the bodies of British people who sadly lost their lives and bring them home to their families.

Andy then moved into counter terrorism (CT) policing in 2009, where he is now a Sergeant in the Ports Unit.

Andy added: “I absolutely love the role that I’m in now, as it has opened up a world of different jobs for me.

Andy Clark

“When I initially shared with my dad that I wanted to join the force, he was really chuffed. He’s retired, living locally and loving playing golf, but we still come together to talk about our experiences.

“Being a police officer is a career that is very rewarding, and it’s even more special now that my son - and Edwin’s great grandson - Finlay, has also joined GMP.”

Finlay, who is 19 and stands at 6’ 8’’ has grown up listening to stories told by his dad and grandad about their shared experiences. From a young boy, Finlay has always known that he was going to follow in his role models’ footsteps.

He has now been allocated to the Salford division, where he will be based whilst completing the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship.

Finlay Clark

Andy said: “We are extremely proud of Finlay and he’s excited to get started. He knows he has some big shoes to fill but I’ve got no doubt he will do that. He has always wanted to help other people, so he is a natural fit to help victims of crime.

“He aspires to eventually join TAU, but Salford is a great posting whilst he learns and receives hands on experience.

“It’s now up to Finlay to take the length of the family police service to over 100 years!”