FORMER CHIEF CONSTABLE MAURICE BUCK OBE QPM (1929-2024)

4 October 2024

The funeral of Maurice Buck OBE QPM, the former Chief Constable of Northamptonshire (1981-1986), was a poignant and reflective event. Held in Northampton on Thursday 19 September (2024), it was attended by family, friends, and many retired officers who came together to pay their respects to a man whose impact on policing and his community, was profound.

Maurice died on 16 August 16 2024, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and leadership.

Among his many contributions was the introduction of ‘Policing by Objectives’, a forward-thinking approach to law enforcement. He was also known for hiring the Force’s first civilian press officer, Pat Percival OBE, who penned a heartfelt tribute highlighting Maurice’s transformative role in policing in Northamptonshire.

While his funeral focused on his cherished family life, it also drew together former colleagues and members of the police family. The gathering offered a bittersweet reminder of how time flies, with many attendees commenting on how funerals, though solemn, become reunions of sorts for those who served together. The event sparked reflections on how vital family and friends are in shaping our personal and professional successes.

Conversations at the funeral also highlighted Maurice’s impact beyond Northamptonshire. Dr Tony Butler - former Chief Constable of Gloucestershire - who worked closely with him at the Police Staff College, reflected on the risk Maurice took when he insisted on introducing simple policing objectives - a bold move in its time. This sparked a broader discussion about how such objectives have evolved and what innovations may have arisen from Maurice’s foundational ideas.

As well as Dr Butler, several prominent figures from the Northamptonshire Police family were present, including:

Sir David O’Dowd (former Chief Constable)

David Wyrko (former Deputy Chief Constable)

Bob Mabbutt (former PC and Federation Secretary)

Phil Vickers (former Superintendent)

Bob Smart (former Superintendent)
Ken Willis (former Chief Superintendent)
Tom Henry & Carol Henry (former Detective Chief Inspector and Constable)

Stuart Slinn (former Inspector)

Alan Buckley (former Chief Superintendent)

Chris Russell (Mr Buck’s former PA)

Frank Spokes (former Detective Chief Inspector)

Blair Davies (former Chief Superintendent)

David Johnson (former Detective Superintendent)

Sam Dobbs (chair of Northamptonshire Police Federation)

All of whom shared in the collective memory of a Chief Constable who left an indelible mark on the Force.

The service closed with a collective expression of gratitude for his years of service and condolences to his family, honouring a life well worked, loved, and lived.

A poem, which was read at the funeral service said:

 

Oh dear, if you’re reading this right now

I must have given up the ghost.

I hope you can forgive me for being

Such a stiff and unwelcoming host.

 

Just talk among yourselves, my friends

And share a toast or two,

For I am sure you will remember well

How I loved to drink with you.

 

Don’t worry about mourning me;

I was never easy to offend.

Feel free to share a story at my expense

And we’ll have a good laugh at the end.

 

A tribute, written by Pat Percival OBE

As Chief Constable, he made a huge impact on morale by his energetic ‘can-do’ approach and emphasis on partnership working, using the experience and talents of officers and staff at all levels to energise and reorganise the Force, with a firm focus on more locally devolved arrangements. He was known particularly for collaborative relationships forged with a supportive Police Authority and for innovative closer work with other statutory agencies and voluntary organisations, notably partnerships with councils, schools, and social services, especially with the community.

He will be remembered by officers and staff of that era for the significant upgrades he introduced to uniform, equipment and training and for technical improvements to control rooms, the establishment of enhanced forensic science support, the first computers to analyse crime patterns and ‘hot spots, and the recording of criminal intelligence.

It was under his tenure that the Force became nationally recognised for the efficient and effective use of police resources via a sharp focus on objectives and outcomes – not only with respect of crime reduction and detection but also in relation to traffic collisions and casualties and, indeed all other aspects of policing operations. The Force was held up as an exemplar to others and received regular senior fact-finding delegations from police forces both nationally and internationally.

Maurice Buck’s influence and impact on the standing of Northamptonshire Police cannot be overstated, and he will be remembered with respect and admiration. He was also highly regarded by fellow Chief Constables, and the work that he spearheaded from this county while in post as Secretary and Chairman of the National Chief Police Officers policy-making Crime Committee has gone down in the annals of national police history.

Indeed, throughout his career, in various significant senior roles, he was a charismatic influencer and leader. He came to Northamptonshire after a spell as Deputy Commander for the training and development of all senior police ranks at the prestigious police staff national training college, then located in Hampshire, where he worked under the legendary Sir Kenneth Newman. As Chief Constable, five short years before his retirement, he left an indelible mark on the history of this Force and on the way we police today.