Sergeant Adrian Rookes brings his illustrious 42 year career with the Ministry of Defence Police to a close with a moving ceremony at the Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton. The final moments when Adrian handing in his warrant card to his successor were witnessed by his wife Rowena and close friends and colleagues at the airbase.
He had become one of the longest serving Ministry of Defence Officers still on the force.
Adrian joined the Admiralty Constabulary on 06 April 1971. The Admiralty Constabulary can trace their Naval roots back to 1686, before its amalgamation with the Army Department Constabulary and the Air Force Department Constabulary to form the Ministry of Defence Police force in October 1971. His first posting was at Her Majesty Naval Base at Portland. Since then he has also served at Gosport and Corsham before joining RNAS Yeovilton eight years ago, in 2004.
His time at Yeovilton and with the Fleet Air Arm has seen many changes from his rookie days when he first joined the force. As the Senior Police Officer of the station at Yeovilton, he was in responsible for up to 12 officers and during the annual Airday this would rise to a force of over 25. When specialist teams are required to handle any eventuality.
The MOD police Unlike most other forces have a national footprint, with officers stationed across the UK. It is highly specialised and some of its capabilities are highly valued by other forces. On a smaller scale, their role in providing reassurance to the service communities living in or near the bases in service married quarters becomes of even greater significance, when the units are deployed abroad in hostile environments. The provision of civilian police powers to deter, detect and respond to crime & disorder is a key contribution to the life of any community.
RNAS Yeovilton’s First Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander Pamela Breach said, “It’s always an honour to thank someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Adrian for their help on such a busy establishment”.
Sergeant Mark Yates, Adrian’s successor said,” We’re into a busy time with the arrival of new Wildcat helicopters and the Army coming in. This will present its own unique set of problems. As the base increases as a whole it’s going to get busy.” The MOD Police’s role is further extended off the airfield if there was to be an air crash. “Every crash is a potential crime scene” Mark said.
Meanwhile Sergeant Adrian Rookes will be enjoying his retirement near his home in Weymouth, Dorset; looking skywards at the Royal Navy’s Lynxes and Sea Kings flying around the magnificent coastline and glorious sea’s of Lyme Bay.