Well known former Doncaster policeman who battled Parkinson's Disease dies

A former Doncaster policeman who enjoyed a career with South Yorkshire Police for more than 30 years has died.
Former Doncaster policeman Colin Dawson.Former Doncaster policeman Colin Dawson.
Former Doncaster policeman Colin Dawson.

Colin Dawson, who was an officer with the force for three decades, died earlier this month at the age of 70 after a battle with Parkisnon's Disease.

Mr Dawson was also a well-known community figure, working as a Scout leader in his home village of Wadworth for more than 13 years.

Colin Dawson during his Scout leader days.Colin Dawson during his Scout leader days.
Colin Dawson during his Scout leader days.
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The father of two died on June 13 and his funeral is due to take place next month.

In an interview in 2013, Mr Dawson explained how being half an inch too short changed his life forever and allowed him to follow the policing career he had set his heart on.

That vital half-inch in height prevented him from joining the Lincolnshire Police because he did not meet the necessary height requirement of 5ft 10ins.

Originally from Blackpool, Colin had his heart set on becoming a police officer when he left school at 16 in 1962, only to be told it wouldn’t be possible because he was too short.

Colin Dawson during his policing days.Colin Dawson during his policing days.
Colin Dawson during his policing days.
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During the 19th and 20th centuries most police forces in the UK stipulated that their recruits had to be at least 5ft 10ins tall.

“Policing is a very important and worthwhile job, and one I always wanted to do so when I was told my height was an issue I honestly didn’t know what I would do next, ” said Colin, in the interview.

Luckily, a Blackpool officer who had trained in West Riding told Colin the height requirement was an inch less to train there and wrote the budding police officer a recommendation letter which led to his acceptance for the West Riding force and the beginning of his police career,

Colin started his three year police training in Eardby in 1962, which at that time was part of the West Riding borough.

Colin Dawson was a policeman with South Yorkshire Police for more than 30 years.Colin Dawson was a policeman with South Yorkshire Police for more than 30 years.
Colin Dawson was a policeman with South Yorkshire Police for more than 30 years.
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He soon found a job as fully qualified policeman in Tadcaster where he joined a force of just seven other officers before moving to Goole and then Doncaster.

Due to his work in the community, the Wadworth scouts asked Colin if he would like to help out and he became a venture scout leader, a role he carried out for 13 years until 1985.

Colin, who leaves a wife Pat and two sons Mark and Neil, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1989 and carried on working for as long as he could, but was forced to resign three years later.

The funeral service and cremation will take place at Rose Hill Crematorium on July 1 at 11am. Donations in lieu of flowers are being welcomed for Parkinson's UK.