Top West Midlands Police officer retires after 30 years

A senior West Midlands Police officer has retired after spending 30 years with the force.

Chief Superintendent Keith Baldwin worked his final shift at Brierley Hill Police Station yesterday, closing the door on a distinguished career.

The 56-year-old grandfather of two said he "owed the force everything" and was very proud of the work he had done, including as Dudley's police chief over the past six years.

Mr Baldwin, who has lived in Stourbridge most of his life, joined the force in 1982 after first working as a crystal glass maker at the Webb Corbett Factory in the town.

"The industry was in decline at the time and there were better opportunities and challenges to be found in other areas," he said.

"I decided to join the police force and it was the best decision I ever made. I really owe the force everything. If I could have my time over again I would have joined right from school."

Mr Baldwin, who was educated at King Edward Grammar School, started his career in Wolverhampton where he served until his promotion to sergeant in 1989.

He was then posted to Birmingham City Centre and ran the divisional robbery squad as a detective sergeant. Mr Baldwin was first posted to Dudley in the mid-90s becoming operations superintendent in 2005 and becoming commander for the Dudley borough in 2006.

"I have been a police officer for 30 years but you have to retire sometime and this seemed as good a time as any," he said.

"I will miss working with the force and the camaraderie with my colleagues. I will also miss dealing with the people issues which are an integral part of police work."

Among the high-profile cases he has dealt include overseeing the investigation into the shooting of Wolverhampton Pc Geoff King in 2006. In the same year he led calls for Cardiff fans to be banned from Molineux after violent clashes with police at the ground.

Mr Baldwin is married and has two grown-up children and two grandchildren and planned to spend more time with them. Superintendent Stuart Johnson – Mr Baldwin's deputy for the past two years – will take over the role.