999 policeman retires on 09/09/09 after forty years

Sep 16 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

A POLICEMAN working for 999 retired on 09/09/09.

Kevin Hamilton joined Merseyside Police forty years ago and started his career at Well Lane Police Station, Birkenhead, as both foot and mobile patrol.

Following this he joined the police in Bermuda.

During his 14 years there, Kevin qualified as a Marine Pilot and was posted to the Marine Division, undertaking search and rescue missions and working in conjunction with the Customs & Excise Dept in a 40ft customised police launcher called The Blue Heron.

He returned to England in 1984 and was based at Copperas Hill.

He then moved to St Anne Street, Stanley Road Neighbourhood, then Lower Lane in the Crime Management Unit (CMU).

In 1993 he married Julie, but not without a little media attention.

The bridal car broke down in the Mersey Tunnel and the bride was transported with her brother-in-law and niece in a police carrier complete with 'blues and twos'.

Now based at the Corporate Criminal Justice Unit at Brunswick Dock in January 2008, he posted until his final day on 09/09/09, a day before celebrating his 60th birthday.

He said: It’s been a big week for me and now I’m looking forward to enjoying my retirement.”