A POLICEMAN who started his career in Rhyl is the new head of the body which represents officers in England and Wales.
Steve Williams, aged 52, originally from Llandudno, has been elected as chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, the first Welshman to hold the post.
He said: “To receive the majority support as chair elect is indeed a prestigious honour and places an immense degree of expectation on me to fulfil the high standards of leading the organisation.
“I'm thrilled and I am over the moon and my family are thrilled as well.”
Mr Williams started his career in 1984 and on his first solo patrol he was faced with crash, which claimed the life of a holidaymaker
He said: “I was walking near the Foryd Bridge and a taxi driver had told me there was a crash.
“I rushed there, it was mayhem at the scene. A driver had knocked over three girls from Blackpool and killed one of them.
“I tried to revive her, I had never scene a dead body before.
“After I was told to go back to the station for a cup of tea, on the way a man rushed out of the house and said his wife was having a baby.
“I had never seen anything like it in my life.
“That is something that has stayed with me, it shows how diverse policing can be.”
Mr Williams went on to serve as a Detective Constable, Detective Inspector, force incident commander, as a hostage negotiator and as chair of the North Wales Branch of the Federation.
Mr Williams ceased active duty in 2009.
He said: “Ahead lies a very difficult and complex journey for policing which will stretch and challenge the service to meet changes unprecedented in our history.
“I want the Police Federation to heighten its mission in influencing policy at all levels for the greater good. I want us to strive to always improve the work life experience and value of all those we represent.”