Darrell Fulford
Darrell Fulford is a native of Plymouth. On leaving school he started and completed a five year apprenticeship as an Engine Fitter and Turner at HM Dockyard, Devonport. On completion of this apprenticeship he moved to London in the mid 1960’s as a design draughtsman for a national fire prevention company.
He returned to Plymouth in early 1970 as a design engineer before joining the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary as a constable. He served his first ten years in the Plymouth area which included roles in the CID and Fraud Squad. On promotion he moved with his family to Torquay serving at Teignmouth, Dawlish, Torquay and later Paignton as Detective Sergeant in charge of the Child Protection Department. During these years he was also seconded to the respective security planning teams for the Queens visit to the Torbay as well as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during the 1980’s.
A second promotion saw he return to Devonport, Plymouth where he later became Staff Officer to the Divisional Commander. This was followed by a posting to Force HQ, Exeter where he worked in the Chief Constable’s Executive Support Department. This included work in the Research and Development branch and licensing issues as the Force Licensing Officer and Explosives Officer.
He was then directly responsible for part of the role out programme of Human Rights training. On completion of this local programme he was promoted to work at the National Police College, Bramshill, Hampshire where he worked for ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) on the national and international Human Rights programme.
He retired as Chief Inspector in July 2003 having completed thirty one years’ service. Since retirement he has worked on a very part-time basis as a guitar tutor for South Devon College. His hobbies include music of the folk/country genre, playing in bands for folk/country dancing and latterly with his wife, partaking in ballroom dancing.