Real Lives: Lothians police chief collars an MBE on his last day in uniform

LOTHIAN and Borders Police chief Norman Dixon has been awarded an MBE on the day he retired from the force following 30 years of service.

After 30 years as a police officer in Edinburgh and Midlothian, Balerno man Norman Dixon spent his last day in uniform at Buckingham Palace receiving an MBE from the Queen.

Mr Dixon, 48, was born in the Borders, one of Marion and John Dixon's five children. The family moved to Gilmerton in 1971.

He left school at the age of 16 and when his father told him to "get a decent job" he made the decision to join the police force.

Initially serving as a cadet working out of the police box on High Street, Mr Dixon went on to become a constable in the Southside, working out of the former Braid Place divisional headquarters.

He explained: "I've worked throughout most of Edinburgh, and was also stationed outside the city, in Gorebridge, Newtongrange, Musselburgh and Dalkeith.

"When I started we used to have our own beats. You would call in to let them know where you were but would really only go into the police station if you had a prisoner."

Mr Dixon rose to the rank of temporary chief inspector at Lothian and Borders Police.

Latterly, he worked as mobile data projects manager, helping develop the PDA electronic police notebook and train 250 officers to use the devices to take handwritten notes on crimes and vehicle accidents.

He was put forward for an MBE by the Force Executive for his work in that role.

But modest Mr Dixon said that he received the honour on behalf of all of his colleagues.

He said: "For me it was great that the whole team was recognised for the work that they have done."

The presentation of the MBE on Tuesday was the last day in uniform for the retiring officer.

He said: "Meeting the Queen on my last day in uniform was a terrific way to end my police career.

"It was an amazing experience to go to Buckingham Palace and meet the Queen. It was a pretty emotional day."

Joining Mr Dixon as he received the honour were his parents, John and Marion, wife Linda, a nurse at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and daughter Katie, a 22-year-old psychology student at Napier University and Special Constable based at Gayfield Police Station.

His retirement yesterday doesn't mean Mr Dixon is slowing down, or even spending more time on his hobby of pigeon racing, as he has taken up a post as consultant for a software development company working on police mobile data.

He hopes to share his expertise to help roll out the electronic notebooks to other forces in England and Wales, as well as across Europe.