Rhiwbina Living Issue 55

He was firm
but fair
he was respected
by those on
both sides of
the law
some long-lasting memories.
"He was out on the beat one
day undertaking door-to-door
enquiries when a woman opened
the door, clutched her hand to her
chest and let out a big gasp of
shock," recalls Ceri.
"Derrick asked her what the
matter was and the woman
explained that only a few months
earlier, she had been to see a
psychic medium who told her
that she'd soon have a black
policeman knocking on her door.
At that point in time, there were no
black policemen, which is why the
woman thought that it was such a
strange thing for a medium to say."
While Derrick was building a solid
reputation within policing circles,
he also set about building his own
family - a family he was always
proud of.
"Derrick and I were introduced
at the police club that used to be
situated up the stairs on Queen
Street," says Ceri. "It was called the
Blue Lamp and we never looked
back."
Derrick and Ceri married and had
a son and a daughter together
- Andrew and Aimee, who both
attended Whitchurch High School.
"We moved to Rhiwbina in 1995
and have been here ever since. We
quickly became integrated into
village life and Derrick enjoyed
company of friends, especially on
the nearby golf courses."
During his tenure with the police,
Derrick became a leading figure
in the Black Police Association
(BPA) in the South Wales area,
encouraging others from minority
groups to become offi cers.
"He also enjoyed playing cricket
and was a member of the force's
cricket team. He enjoyed that
game for many years," adds Ceri.
Derrick rose through the ranks to
detective constable and through
the years, became an icon for
young ethnic offi cers.
"Derrick loved his work. He was
firm but fair, even allowing one
man to finish his pint before he
arrested him!"
When Derrick picked up his Long
Service medal, dad Moses told him
that at first, he didn't think Derrick
would stick it out. In fact, Derrick
remained in the force for 30 years.
In March 2002, Derrick formally
retired from the police but
continued to work at the Coroner's
Offi ce until he was 62. He then
moved to the Crown Court, where
he finally retired altogether in 2015.
After he retired, Derrick enjoyed
his beloved game of golf and
socialising with friends and family.
"We sold the family house,
downsized in Rhiwbina and bought
a property in Spain where we
spent a lot of time together before
Derrick fell ill," says Ceri.
Sadly, Derrick passed away in
April this year. Although he had
been ill, it still came as a shock to
his loved ones.
His children were deservedly
proud of the man they called Dad.
"To us, he was just dad and it's
only recently that we've started to
understand the significance of his
place in the world,"
says Aimee.
"After Dad had gone,
we had neighbours
and friends telling us
that they had no idea
that Derrick was the
first black policeman
in South Wales. He
achieved a lot."
Derrick was laid
to rest in May, with
full police honours.
Friends and family
attended the funeral
but it was also
livestreamed so that
those who he had
influenced further
afield could pay their
respects and say
goodbye.
But that's not where
Derrick's story ends.
Derrick's life paved
the way for so many
other black police
offi cers, not just here
in Cardiff, but across
the UK and beyond.
In later life, Derrick
would say that it was
the disillusionment
of his young, black
friends with the
police that first
inspired him to join
the force in the first
people
place.
"They were telling me stories
about being harassed. We thought
a black person should join the
police and break down the barriers
from within," he once said.
It is then perhaps, testament to
Derrick's tenacity and attitude that
we now live in a fairer place than
we did when he took his first steps
on Cardiff's streets as PC Hassan
- a time when race relations were
practically unheard of.
Today, there is positive talk about
a blue plaque in honour of Derrick.
"We are currently in talks with the
right people. It'd be a lovely thing
to do but it just means that I won't
be able to live elsewhere!" laughs
Ceri.
Derrick leaves behind a legacy
that will have positive implications
for generations to come. During
his life, he was encouraging and
advisory, a mentor to many. But
his pioneering work and attitude
will serve to help countless others,
both in their careers, and in their
lives.
Derrick's legacy will
be felt for years to come
7