01/07/2025
Clive Hammond
The retiring North Wales Police officer, Stephen John Williams, has marked his last working day after more than four decades in policing.
The officer began his career in 1984 as a police constable in Rhyl following his initial training.
On his first solo shift as a probationer, he was patrolling along Rhyl promenade when he was made aware of a collision nearby.
Steve was first on the scene after a stolen car had driven into three pedestrians, causing one of them to die, and soon began managing the area while further emergency services arrived.
Later the same day, he was walking back to Rhyl police station from the scene of the collision when he was approached by a man whose partner was giving birth at home and needed urgent help.
Steve rushed to their property, where he assisted in delivering the baby before ambulance colleagues arrived.
The woman gave birth to a boy who they named John Stephen in a remarkable coincidence.
With no time to rest, Steve was required to return to the police station to take statements following the earlier fatal collision before delivering an agony message to the girl’s family that she had sadly died.
From his very first independent shift, Steve had gained an understanding of the diverse nature of policing.
In the following years, Steve progressed in his career and eventually served as a Detective Chief Inspector before retiring in 2014.
In this time, he also served as the National Chair for the Police Federation in England and Wales and as the Chair for the Police Federation National Detectives’ Forum for England and Wales, representing over 140,000 officers nationally.
In 2015, he received a Queen’s Police Medal for his distinguished service to policing.
In the same year, Steve returned to a police staff role to lead on the North Wales investigations under the National Pitchford inquiry, which investigated undercover policing operations dating back to 1974.
Subsequently, he served as a civilian investigator in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) where he supported colleagues in several high-profile investigations.
Reflecting on his policing career as he prepares to retire, Steve said: “I have had a wonderful career with far more ups than downs along the way.
“I have made fantastic friends, dealt with major incidents and seen some sights that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
“Policing is truly a job like no other and I can say I have experienced the very best and worst of humanity.
“No day is ever the same and often the mere presence of an officer is a lifeline, invaluable assistance and comfort for those members of the public who rightly expect a service when they seek police help and support.
“Three of the most important lessons I have learned are: the importance of communication; that the public expect the same service from every police officer no matter their length of service; and to never give up on justice.
“Policing in not an easy career but for me it has truly been a vocation that I am very proud to have been part of, and it is something I would do all over again in a heartbeat.”
Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman met with Steve on his last working day to recognise his excellent service to policing.
She said: “Steve has served the citizens of North Wales for over 40 years.
“He is an exceptional detective whose talent is matched by his desire to bring those who harm the core of our communities to justice.
“He represents the fabric of good policing, and his work has brought closure to many victims and countless offenders to justice.
“I can only thank Steve for his loyal and dedicated service, and I wish him the very long, healthy and happy retirement.”