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'I feel extremely privileged' - Kirklees police officer retires after 30 years' service

Inspector Vanessa Briggs joined West Yorkshire Police in 1996

[Inspector Vanessa Briggs is retiring after 30 at West Yorkshire Police]

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Inspector Vanessa Briggs is retiring after 30 at West Yorkshire Police(Image: WYP)

A police officer who has devoted 30 years of service to Kirklees says she feels "extremely privileged" as she enters retirement.

Inspector Vanessa Briggs joined West Yorkshire Police in 1996, working out of the Huddersfield and Holmfirth teams as a response officer and tutor constable. She also worked across Dewsbury and Huddersfield as an acting sergeant before being promoted to sergeant in 2015.

Vanessa became Holmfirth sergeant a year later, then acting inspector across Kirklees, before returning to the rural team as acting and then permanent inspector, based in Holmfirth. She said: "Ive committed my career to Kirklees District as a full-time uniformed officer and after so many years here, I know Kirklees like the back of my hand. Ive been in my current role of Kirklees Rural NPT Inspector for almost eight years and feel closely connected to both the area and the people. Rural is a beautiful, vibrant and diverse area with a great sense of community spirit and pride. I feel extremely privileged to have served the residents here.

[Inspector Beth Sanderson, left, will replace Vanessa]

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Inspector Beth Sanderson, left, will replace Vanessa(Image: WYP)

"No other role has attracted me away from the frontline policing Ive always done. I think its in my blood, and there are no other roles that would have given me that direct sense of achievement from protecting the vulnerable and bringing offenders to justice. I feel a great deal of satisfaction from guiding my teams through local problem-solving with partners, deploying road safety initiatives, developing intelligence, carrying out arrests, and securing convictions."

Vanessa said she will take a break from frontline policing and spend time with friends and family before seeking a new role. She said: "Ill certainly really miss being part of policing in Kirklees but will still be active in the community Ive always been part of."

Vanessa will be replaced by Inspector Beth Sanderson.

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