In October 2021 Secretary-General Steve Bretherton and Andy Sullivan, Chair of Region 8, had the great pleasure of presenting a 60 year Membership Certificate to Norfolk and Suffolk Branch member, Caroleen (Carol) Michallat.
Carol joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1959 and served as a police officer for 32 years, of which she spent 23yrs in uniform. Carol transferred between several forces. After 4 years with Lancashire Constabulary, she transferred to Manchester City Police in 1963. Then in 1966 Carol moved to Cheshire Constabulary where she served until her final transfer to Greater Manchester Police in 1974. Carol retired from Greater Manchester Police in 1992.
These days Carol keeps herself busy with her academic studies and when Steve and Andy visited, she was preparing to submit her PhD thesis; "An investigation of the Land Surveyors of East Anglia active between 1530 and 1850. And an analysis of the Estate Maps they produced”.
Recalling her police service Carol said “I think I had the best training as a probationary constable in Nelson, Padiham and Colne, (Burnley was still a borough force in those days).
When I think back life was so very different then. A Police Officer in a county force only had authority in that force and all neighbouring forces contiguous to it. A borough force officer had even less authority”.
Asked why she joined the IPA in 1961 Carol said it was the social events that were of most interest to her. She explained that when she joined the IPA, it was only ten years old and each region seemed to do something different. Carol said that back then the IPA became the focus of social life, in fact it was a social lifeline.
Carol proudly showed Steve and Andy her IPA membership cards, including her original membership card bearing her membership number 4152, signed by the Secretary General at the time, Ken Robinson.
Remarking on his visit Steve said, ‘it was an honour and a pleasure to present Carol with her 60 year membership certificate. Carol is a delightful lady and an inspiration to all of us.’
Steve Bretherton, Secretary-General