Ed joined the Police Service in 1995, initially working for West Yorkshire Police in his hometown of Bradford, before transferring to North Yorkshire Police in 2003. Ed then remained at North Yorkshire Police until his retirement in 2016 on medical grounds, following a prolonged battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression.
During his service Ed was well known for his caring and compassionate policing style, maintaining a victim focus and, through his work as a dedicated Neighbourhood Police Officer, always striving to bring local communities together.
Ed was also a Police Family Liaison Officer working with families whose loved ones had died as a result of road traffic Collisions, murder or manslaughter. It was dealing with one particular family’s grief that Ed developed PTSD. However, it wasn’t until four years later, in 2012, while Ed was working as a Custody Sergeant in York, that this developed into a severe episode of depression that almost cost him his life.
On return to work Ed took the decision to be open with colleagues about why he had been absent (not something spoken about in the emergency services at that time). He expected to be the only sufferer, but he found quite the opposite to be true.
Now, Ed works at the Police Treatment Centre, supporting police staff with their mental health and wellbeing. He also shares his story with organisations, aiming to educate, inform, and inspire others.
