Still on the beat at 71!
Liz Smith always had a hankering to join the police, and at 71, she’s still firmly keeping our country a safer place…
Sitting in our living room, we all crowded around our small black-and-white telly, mesmerised by the Queen’s Coronation. It was 1953, I was four years old, and thought she was the most beautiful princess I’d ever seen. ‘I want a crown like her,’ I told my mum, Mary.
Approximately a year later, the Queen came to Bradford and we all lined the streets, desperate for a glimpse of Elizabeth. I clutched my flag for hours, but when her car drove past, it was Philip that was visible and while he dutifully waved, I was disappointed I hadn’t seen Her Majesty. Little did I know that 47 years later, I’d be standing face to face with the leader of the Royal Family…
I grew up in West Yorkshire, with my mum and dad, Bill, and my two brothers. By the time I reached my late teens, it was the swinging Sixties and life was simple. In 1965, I joined a scooter club and absolutely loved it! It was there that I met Robert. Friends at first, we travelled all over the country before eventually becoming an item. He was handsome and always knew how to make me laugh.
We finally tied the knot in May 1972 and moved to nearby Mirfield. I started working as a secretary, but I always dreamt of becoming a police officer. I wanted to help people and the unpredictability of the job excited me. But the years flew by and it got put on the back burner while we raised our family.
Our first son, Graham, was born in September 1977, before we welcomed our second boy, Robert, in May 1982. I adored our family.
When I eventually went back to work, part of my job was to find on-sight training for people to gain office skills. On one of my work visits in February 1996,
I met a woman who trained as a special constable.
I noticed a police hat on top of her bookcase. ‘Are you an officer? I’ve always wanted to work in the force,’ I blurted out.
‘ Yes, I am, you should give it a go – they’re recruiting,’ she replied. I laughed out loud and told her that, at 45, I was probably too old.
‘ You have plenty of years to make a difference,’ she said.
I walked away feeling that my life was about to change and that my age was nothing but a number. I rushed home and told my husband, now 72, a retired engineer, that I was going to make a difference and apply to be a special constable.
‘It’s your time to shine, you’re a strong woman and I know you can do this,’ he reassured me.
My son, Graham, who was 18 at the time, also wanted to become a police officer.
So, we both joined West Yorkshire Police in April 1996.
‘ You’ll be taking your mum to work with you every day now,’ I teased him.
We both trained as a
‘I love being able to help the vulnerable people in society’
special constable known as a volunteer police officer.
We started training together and were soon working up to 16 voluntary hours per month. I’d carry out foot patrols within the local communities, deal with house-to-house enquiries and anti-social behavioural problems.
It felt exhilarating to eventually have a job where
I felt I was really making a difference.
I was proud to be helping the community, all while holding down a full-time job. Then, one afternoon in March 2003, I was called into my sergeant’s office and told I’d reached the age of retirement. I was 55, but still felt young at heart – I had so much more to give.
I was asked to retire and handed back my uniform with tears in my eyes. I felt like I was being thrown on the scrapheap.
By then, I was already working to help rehabilitate prisoners – helping them into further education and employment after their release. But I really missed being part of the police.
It wasn’t until one evening over a meal, my daughter-in-law, Graham’s wife, who was also a police officer, suggested I become a police community support officer (PCSO).
I was 58 by then, but decided to try my luck. And in March 2006, I was delighted when my application was accepted! I started at Humberside Police in October of that year and was surprised to get a salaried position.
We moved to Bridlington and I’m responsible for six villages. I give talks to elderly people about the danger of scammers and also visit three different schools to address pupils about safety.
I still deal with anti-social behaviour, neighbour disputes and road closures too.
One of my favourite things about being a PCSO is being able help the vulnerable.
My job brings me so much happiness and every day is different. It’s very fulfilling to get home at the end of the day knowing I’ve served my community. The locals say having me around is like the old days when there was a village bobby.
Then, on 28 April 2010, a letter dropped through my door, and I scanned the letter – before nearly choking…
‘I’m receiving an MBE for my policing!’ I gasped. I couldn’t believe it! I was so nervous about meeting the Queen, but it really was a dream come true.
On the day, as 400 pairs of eyes were on me in Buckingham Palace’s ballroom, I stood face to face with Her Majesty and I didn’t care who was looking. It really was one of my proudest moments.
Now, at 71, I might look older on the outside, but I feel young and still have a lot to give. I’d happily carry on for another 20 years, as there’s no retirement age for PCSOs, and I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of Humberside Police and the community.
I admit that I’m a workaholic – and I love it! My job, my family and our four dogs – Jasper, Barkley, Danny and Alfie – keep me a very busy woman.
This is the last job I’ll ever have and it’s turned out to be the best one of my life.