The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Proud day for father of dedicated police family
A isFife family which has lived and breathed policing for seven decades celebrating another major milestone as another one of their number retires from Police Scotland.
Fife’s current divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Derek Mcewan, has found himself in the somewhat unusual situation of wishing his older brother Garry, who was Fife’s first ever divisional commander, all the best in his retirement after almost 33 years in policing.
Indeed, to say serving Fife’s communities is in the Mcewan family’s blood is an understatement though, as their proud dad Ronnie – who himself attained the role of chief superintendent before retiring after 30 years in 1990 – has also been able to reflect on his sons’ amazing achievements this week.
Garry leaves after almost 20 years within the CID, which he once led, eventually moving on to become Fife local policing commander between 2013 and 2015 and subsequently national policing commander for the Criminal Justice Services Division – his final posting.
Times have certainly changed since he was a fresh faced 16-year-old cadet in 1987.
“When I applied 33 years ago I was told I needed to put on two stone within six months or I wouldn’t get in,” he explained.
“I bet if I was to apply now they would tell me to lose a couple of stone and then some…
“Despite my dad being a high-ranking police officer, and his brother Dave a police officer in the Met, he never encouraged or discouraged me or my brothers from applying.
“In fact, when I got the offer of being a police cadet, the exact same day I also got offered a job as a trainee pharmacy support dispenser with a local chemist,
“I think that was the only time my mum and dad said: ‘I think you should go for the police.’
“I am so glad they did as the trainee dispenser job paid £30 a month more, and I was tempted.
“Even when in the police my dad never offered advice but had a canny knack of being there just when I needed some.”
Garry’s happy to let his son Danny and daughter Tia find their own career path, but admitted his overwhelming sense upon retirement is pride in the staff and officers he has worked alongside.
“Policing is most definitely a public service and without those hardworking and dedicated staff the job is nothing and the public would not get the service they truly deserve,” he added.
Dad Ronnie reflects fondly on his career and his boys, and believes their late mum Morag will be looking down on them with pride.
“My eldest Paul lives in America, Garry and Derek live locally and have done really well in the service,” he said.
“I am truly proud of all of them and their mum, who passed away many years ago from cancer in 1989, would be likewise.”