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Richard was born on the Woburn Estate in Bedfordshire, where his parents, Reginald and Hilda, worked. The family later moved to Norwich.
 
Son Chris said: "Dad's grandparents had both died, in Norwich, before he was born, during the Second World War blitz. Dad attended George White Junior School and later City of Norwich School, for which he would cycle across the city each day.
 
"After completing school, Dad studied accountancy, initially working for Peat Marwick, which went on to become KPMG, as a chartered accountant.  Dad later worked for Abels of Watton, a time which he really enjoyed.  After that he worked at Duffields of East Anglia, part of the Volvo Trucks group. Following that Dad spent a few years working with YMCA Norfolk.
 
"Mum and Dad met through the Park Lane Methodist Church Club, though Dad really found his faith some years later at a Spring Harvest conference.  Following that Dad became a local preacher in the Methodist Church for several years."

Richard took early retirement in 2002 and began a new role as a chaplain with Norfolk Police, building a bridge between community, police and the church and helping police officers cope with the complex rigours of the job.
 
For the past 22 years, including as lead chaplain, he has supported and been alongside police staff and officers who are often at the sharp end of daunting and sometimes dangerous work.
 
The chaplaincy extends across the county to support police on the front line as well as organising special events such as the Emergency Services Carol Service at Norwich Cathedral. 
 
Although a regular church goer since his teens, Richard came to a full understanding of faith in 1993. His son joined a church holiday club and continued attending a church youth club afterwards. Before long he wanted the family to join him and the youth group at Spring Harvest, a Christian residential festival.
 
“I hated it at first although everyone was very nice to me,” recalled Richard back in 2018. “It was raining hard most of the time and the first evening there were about 3,000 people in the main tent and many were jumping up and down and waving their arms around. I couldn’t relate to it at all! Until then I had been going to a fairly traditional Methodist church over the years, mainly to keep my wife Gill happy.
 
“But three days later, during one of the sessions, everything clicked into place; it was as if all the pieces of an old building model were broken down and reassembled into something new. For the first time Jesus Christ and Christianity made sense as the truth of the gospel impacted my heart and changed the course of my life,” said Richard.
 
Richard has been a board member of both Norfolk Street Pastors and YMCA Norfolk. Former CEO of YMCA Norfolk, John Drake, paid tribute, saying: “I have known Richard for over 30 years. He was a co-worker at the YMCA, a good friend, a brilliant accountant, and a fellow Chaplain. He with the Norfolk Constabulary whilst I serve with the USAF 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath.
 
“Richard supported the work of the Christian Police Association locally and nationally. Over his 22 years’ service he reinvigorated the mission and ministry of Police chaplaincy across Norfolk by recruiting and training committed men and women gifted in pastoral care and listening skills. Richard was a trusted keeper of secrets. Open-hearted, ever listening and only giving comment when permission was granted or advice sought. However always constant in private intercession for those he felt privileged to serve.
 
“There were many who met him in their darkest moments who found through Richard and the God who sustained him, the resilience to continue to serve our county and city in these most dangerous of days,” said John.

Richard died in the early hours of Saturday May 11, having been diagnosed with lung cancer a few days earlier.

He had two sons and three grandchildren.
 
“There will be a small family burial service on Thursday June 13 and a public thanksgiving service for anyone who would like to come, on Friday June 14 at 1pm,” said Richard’s son Chris. This will be at Soul Church, 55 Heartsease Lane, Norwich. NR7 9NT. 

Article copied from Network Norfolk : Tributes paid to Norfolk Police Chaplain Richard (networknorwich.co.uk)

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Derek’s licensing took place in St Peters Warmsworth and was led by the Rt Rev Sophie Jelley, Bishop of Doncaster. It was good to see a diverse representation of both the police, church and community in attendance. Everyone including the High Sheriff of Doncaster were welcomed by the Associate Archdeacon Father Stephen Edmunds, Central to the service were our two readings from Scripture. A reading from the bible -  Matthew’s Gospel 9.35-38 which talks about the needs in the communities around us and the compassion and care shown by Jesus, a hallmark of Derek’s care and support for the force. It also talks about the labourers being so few which again is Derek’s prayer to grow a multi faith team. The second reading was from the second letter of Paul to Timothy which talks about holding firm, being proud and trusting. Prayers for the community, church and police were jointly led by Derek and the Reverend Cannon Ian Smith where peace and justice were a central theme.

The service concluded with a hymn by J R Pearcey - "Go to the world in peace, go to the world in love, go to the world in strength and go to the world in joy". A positive message for Derek in his new role and for the force as they face the challenges of serving in difficult times.

We are very sad to announce the death of Rev'd Canon Bill Cave, Lead Chaplain to Wiltshire Police.

Ordained in 1979, Canon Bill’s ministry has been spent working with people, now friends, of other Christian and faith traditions. He spent 12 years at the Inter-Faith Chaplaincy Centre at Lancaster University, and directing students in their understanding of conflicts in Northern Ireland and the Middle East.

In 1997 Bill became chaplain at HMP The Weare, a prison ship in Portland Harbour before becoming Chaplain of the Verne Immigration Removal Centre. 

Since leaving prison chaplaincy in 2017, Bill has been Lead Chaplain to Wiltshire Police and a friend and colleague to many in Police Chaplaincy UK.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill's family and friends and those he served in Wiltshire.

Six Chaplains from Sussex and Surrey Police provided wellbeing support to officers involved in policing the Labour party conference in Brighton in September. 

We were available over breakfast and briefings to share coffee and find out how everything was going, then we went out along the seafront and around the town centre to engage with officers where they were working – to give them chocolate, smiles, and encouragement! 

We linked up with the Police Federation who were also providing wellbeing support via a refreshments van parked alongside our police vehicles – as you might expect, this was a popular area for officers to gather during breaks so we enjoyed meeting them there and chatting about the experience of policing an event like this.  Some shared their memories of previous conferences and operations in other areas this year where they’ve provided mutual aid. 

Our Chaplaincy Lead also provided chaplaincy support in the Command Suite back at HQ; it was fascinating to see the operation from different perspectives – on the ground on-site, and behind the scenes. 

Richard Armitage, the former Lead Chaplain for Wiltshire Police, has undertaken a significant study of police suicides. We are very happy to commend the fruits of his labours to you.

The publishers describe Richard's book as follows:

This text makes a primary and informed contribution to a subject that is under-researched in the UK — the suicide of those who work in the UK police service — by offering an analysis of UK case studies of officers and staff who have either completed suicide or experienced suicide ideation, and referring to the likely prime suicide precipitators in these situations. This analysis is followed by an examination of literature that discusses general and police-specific suicide. The text then examines intervention measures and support mechanisms that are currently offered to those working in the police service, as well as other measures that might be introduced in the future. Designed for criminal justice professionals and affected laypeople, including the families of those in the police service, Police Suicide is a crucial text for any who have an interest in the holistic and psychological welfare of police officers and staff.

If you are interested in ordering a copy, please use the link to the publisher's website in the button below.

Staffordshire Police will be licensing a new Lead Chaplain on 16th September this year. Revd Stephen Parker will be taking over from Darren McIndoe, who asks members to pray particularly for the service at which the Bishop of Stafford, Rt Rev Geoff Annas, will officiate. Members who have logged in will be able to view or download the service sheet in the members' area.

Durham Constabulary's Lead Chaplain and Deputy National Police Chaplain, the Revd Adrian Gatrill, is to be made a Non-Residentiary Canon of Durham Cathedral.

The position is an honorary one and is offered to clergy who have made a significant contibtion to the life of the church within the diocese. The offer of a canonry was made to Adrian by the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, "in recognition of your work as police chaplain."

Adrian became Durham's Lead Chaplain in 2011 after serving for nearly twenty-three years as a chaplain in the RAF. Of his appointment he said, "This is a huge honour and came as a complete surprise, especially as I've been in the Diocese of Durham for such a relatively short time. The biggest compliment is that police chaplaincy has been recognised as an important area of the church's ministry, and that is very gratifying."

The service at which Adrian will be installed as a Non-Residentiary Canon will take place in Durham Cathedral on Sunday 19 June at 3.30pm.