The son of a PC who died in an air crash wears his father’s collar number “with pride” after joining the force.
Student police officer and former Watford police cadet David Morton requested the same warrant number (1581) as his father, PC Andy Morton, which he says reminds him of his dad “every time I wear my uniform”.
PC Andy Morton, who served in the Hertfordshire Constabulary road policing unit, died in a microlight helicopter crash alongside friend and colleague Sgt Ian Alexander in 2004.
Read more:
- 'Shock' after offensive slurs scrawled on Sir Elton John mural
- Clothing store at atria Watford to shut today
- Woman taken to hospital after emergency services called to road
David, 29, said: “My interest in the police and specifically Hertfordshire Constabulary stemmed from my late father, who had served as a constable in Hertfordshire for 22 years when he sadly passed when I was 11 years old.
“I was part of the Watford police cadets between the ages of 15 and 18 then went on to work a normal job until I decided to apply for the role of PSCO (police community support officer) at the age of 25, starting in June of 2019.
“I really enjoyed my role and helping the community I served but I always felt I could offer more so applied to become a police constable and started my training in March of this year.
“A particular highlight for me was requesting and being assigned my dad’s warrant number of 1581 which I now wear with pride, reminding me of him every time I wear my uniform.”
He explained that he found his time as a PCSO “extremely rewarding”.
“It helped to develop me as a person while giving me a window into the day to day demanding work expected of a constable," he added.
“This was the perfect steppingstone for me to fully commit to the decision to become a police constable, which was a lifelong interest of mine.
“The training was a brilliant and overwhelming experience at times, but the trainers were extremely helpful in ensuring my success on the course and I couldn’t wait to get back to the front line to help and protect the public.
Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
To receive breaking news alerts or newsletters sign up here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here