BTP Federation chair announces retirement

Mr Goodband said he had made the decision to stand down this August with a “heavy heart” after more than 30 years with British Transport Police (BTP) and the Federation.

He joined BTP in 1991 and first volunteered with the Federation in 2007, when he stood for election as a Federation representative. In 2014 he became the deputy national chair before being elected as the national chair in 2016. Mr Goodband was re-elected as chair in 2021, the Federation’s centenary year, and with the backing of Federation representatives, announced an independent review of the organisation to ensure it was in “the best possible shape” for the future.

The Federation said the timing of Mr Goodband’s retirement enables a new chair to lead on implementing any recommendations arising from the review.

“I have made this decision with a heavy heart,” said Mr Goodband. “Between my Army service and my time in BTP, I will have served the public for four decades and I am very proud of that. Sadly, all good things come to an end and the time is right for a number of reasons, both personal and professional.

“I am assisting and supporting the review team but I don’t feel it is right and proper for me to decide on the direction this Federation takes in the future. For us to progress and continually improve we have to look ahead. The future sits with a new chair, not the old.”

Mr Goodband has overseen a number of changes within the Federation in recent years, adding: “During my term of office, I genuinely believe this Federation has changed for the better. We are more accessible, more transparent, more accountable and I trust we are respected more than ever.

“This role has taught me a lot about policing, politics, the bravery of my colleagues and the power of the pen. It has also taught me a lot about myself and what we can all achieve with hard work and motivation.”

Before joining BTP in January 1991, Mr Goodband had served eight years in the 1st Battalion Irish Guards.

He has worked in London, Manchester and Liverpool, operating in mainly the CID proactive and reactive teams and the national intelligence arena. During his career he has been involved in some major investigations including murders and derailments.

Mr Goodband is a trained national interview adviser for major and serious crime. He has received various chief constables’ and area commanders’ commendations relating to murder and manslaughter investigations, a judge’s commendation for his part in the Tebay rail incident investigation and a commendation from a coroner relating to his role and report on the Grayrigg investigation.

While serving in Liverpool, he became a Federation representative in the old Northwest Area Committee, having been firstly elected as the sergeants’ representative in 2007. Mr Goodband later became the chair of the North-West Area Committee, which gave him the opportunity to participate in changes to the structure and workings of the Federation while retaining his position as detective sergeant and T/detective inspector at Liverpool BTP.

He became the deputy national chair of the BTP Federation late in 2014, before being elected as the full-time national chair in February 2016. He was re-elected in March 2021.

An election to identify the next chair of the BTP Federation will begin at the end of April. Following a handover period, Mr Goodband will officially retire in August.