ACC David Hartley to retire after 33 years at South Yorkshire Police

In the year that the force turns 50, Mr Hartley reflects on his career since joining South Yorkshire Police in 1991.

“When I look back over my 33 years with South Yorkshire Police, my overwhelming feeling is one of pride in the force, its people and what they deliver every day,” he said.

“I also have a real sense of gratitude to the organisation and everyone I have worked with, as both have such an influence on the person you grow to be.”

Mr Hartley said he was “so pleased” he never left the force, adding: “The sense of continuity and being part of something is so much more powerful when the county is both your home and where you deliver policing – it seems to matter a bit more.

“I look forward to being a benefactor of local policing now, rather than consumed in service delivery, and of course that will give me ample opportunity to start sentences with ‘in my day we would have….’

“I am so lucky to have worked right across the county, starting at West Bar in Sheffield, then Rotherham, then Barnsley and latterly OSU. All have been incredibly fulfilling, and my last role as assistant chief constable Specialist Ops has been particularly rewarding, building our structures after the dissolution of Yorkshire and Humber Firearms, to having full spectrum in force capacity to tackle our most dangerous criminals.

“Being part of the effort to put away, for a long time, those who criminally carry and use guns has been central to my core motivation, and quite a difference from 33 years ago.”

Mr Hartley said said it has been “interesting to watch how policing has changed over the years, and to be a part of this change”.

“I remember back in the day, we used to go out on patrol with a blue shirt, a freezing nylon jacket, no body armour, no taser, no CS gas, no baton and no quick cuffs. It seems we’ve come a long way since then,” he said.

“There is much I will miss, and a fair bit I won’t miss at all. Perhaps the biggest void will be the people, the fun, and the good humour. That’s what keeps this job going.

“This job can make extraordinary demands on you, and during these times we really look to rely on our friends and colleagues for support. I have been leading on wellbeing for our force, and this has been of huge importance to me – if you don’t look after yourself and let yourself recover, you can’t keep doing this extraordinary work. So, do look after yourself.

“As I sign off it really is that sense of gratitude I leave with. A brilliant career, with brilliant people and a job that you never stop growing, learning and improving in – and I have certainly never been bored.

“The job and the organisation also define your character, leadership, resilience and the skills you take with you; again, I am so grateful for all the job has given me.

“So, it is time for something different and perhaps a bit more fun, but underneath it all I will always consider myself part of South Yorkshire Police, and I’m very proud of that, so keep well, keep going and enjoy yourself, as before you know it, you’re writing a retirement piece.”