Like Father Like Son. 60 Years of Family Policing
Andrew Watkins
- Regions:
- England, Dorset, Hampshire
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Hobby
- Fee:
- Paid: A flat fee of 70 pounds. No additional charge for mileage.
- Category:
- Humanities
- Updated:
- 21st October 2026
- Tagged:
- Nostalgia- Bygone Days | Police | Humour | Family History
Take a nostalgic journey behind the uniform with a fascinating, cross-generational look at grass roots policing spanning six decades. This warm, light-hearted, and deeply personal talk traces the policing lives of a father and son, whose combined careers connect two very different eras of the thin blue line.
Discover what life was like for Sgt 513 Watkins running a traditional, one-man police station on the Cotswolds in the 1960s, instructing recruits, and policing the Forest of Dean. Contrast those memories of Pc Andy Watkins with the modern frontline reality of the 1980s onwards—including duty on the historic 1984 Miners' Strike, the unique world of working as a Police Dog Handler, and walking the local beat as a Community Officer in East Dorset.
Filled with humour, social history, and an intriguing explanation of how this family legacy happened entirely by chance, the presentation is uniquely brought to life with a rare, physical collection of policing memorabilia gathered by father and son over 60 years.
Views: 14 | Enquiries: 0About Andrew Watkins
Following in his father’s footsteps entirely by chance, Pc Andy Watkins represents the second generation of a remarkable 60-year family legacy within the British police service. His father, Sgt Watkins, served with the Gloucestershire Constabulary from 1951 to 1983, a career that took him from running a traditional, one-man police station on the Cotswolds 1i the early 1960`s to instructing at the Police Training School and supervising in the Forest of Dean. Andy began his own 30-year career with Dorset Police in 1981, serving through the historic 1984 Miners' Strike, working as a Police Dog Handler, and finishing his service as a dedicated Community Beat Officer in East Dorset. Now retired, he brings their combined six decades of frontline history to life. His warm and nostalgic talk is beautifully illustrated by a unique collection of policing memorabilia gathered by both father and son over a lifetime on the beat
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