From Army to police: a career in public service

Graham Crow’s career path started as an Army apprentice vehicle mechanic with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers more than 40 years ago.

Military service took him around the world and by the time he left in 1994, he had been promoted to Warrant Officer Class 1 (Artificer Sergeant Major).

He says: “One of my latter jobs in the Army was running huge workshops, one of which did all the conversions for vehicles bound for the Eastern bloc.”

But even after 24 years’ service, he could not sever all his ties with the military.

He immediately took a commission with the Territorial Army (TA) – now known as the Army Reserve – where he still serves as a Major today.

But back in 1994, the TA was a part-time passion and his first job on ‘Civvy Street’ was with the Metropolitan Police as a costings manager based at Northolt.

“It was where they commissioned all of the Met’s vehicles in those days and I quickly got promoted to number one area fleet manager,” says Crow.

Number one area was central London and Crow would run the police fleet for that sector for the next two years.

“In 1996, I had the opportunity to come to Northamptonshire Police as the fleet engineer,” he continues. He was made head of transport in 2009, taking ultimate responsibility for the force’s 400-strong fleet.

He says: “Highlights so far have included being shortlisted for the Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Awards in 2011, before going one step further at last year’s awards and winning the title of best public sector fleet.”

Crow points proudly to a framed photograph of him receiving the trophy from the-then transport minister Norman Baker.

A career which started in engineering and was forged through his military service, has prepared him well for his police fleet role.