Chief Inspector Robin B. Finnemore
Robin Bowman Finnemore was born on 14th August 1930, the first of three sons to Claude and Eileen Finnemore of Tamerton Foliot, Plymouth.
Robin Finnemore went to Plymouth Primary School and then attended Plympton Grammar School until he was 16 years old, joining Devon Constabulary as a Cadet in November 1946, working at Plympton Police Station.
He was called for National Service in November 1948 serving in the Royal Military Police and Special Investigation Branch at Edinburgh Castle and Aldershot. His National Service was completed in May 1950 and he joined Devon Constabulary on 7th July 1950. (Bottom right in photo)
After basic training he was posted to Tavistock where he met and married Ruth. They had two daughters, Robina and Lesley, two grandchildren Claire and Andrew, and three great grandchildren.
Throughout his entire career, all his time as a Police Officer was conducted in Devon, postings at:-
- Meshaw 1952-1954 Tiverton ‘C’ Division
- Brixham 1954-1959
- Kilmington 1959-1963
- Torquay 1963-1966
- Newton Abbot 1966-1972 (promoted to Sergeant)*
*The first Collator (Crime Intelligence Officer) in Devon & Cornwall at commencement of Unit Beat Policing Scheme (Panda Cars), also believed to be one of the first Crime Prevention Officers.
- Teignmouth 1972-1976
- Newton Abbot 1976-1978 (promoted to Inspector)
- Paignton 1978-1980
- HQ Police Federation* 1980-1982
*Seconded to the national HQ of the Police Federation of England & Wales representing all the Inspectors of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, and Devon & Cornwall in all welfare and efficiency matters.
- Seaton Devon 1982-1986 (promoted to Chief Inspector)
- Paignton 1986-1989
- Newton Abbot 1989-1990
- Retired 13th August 1990
Robin retired as Deputy Sub-Divisional Commander of the Teignbridge area and was based in Newton Abbot, with his particular concern being the welfare of staff. Another highlight being the two years he spent representing the Police Federation of the South West Region on the Joint Central Committee of England and Wales.
For 15 years while a serving officer, he was a representative of all police pensioners in Devon, and the Widows and Orphans Compassionate Fund. During his time as Chairman of the Fund, assets almost trebled to the benefit of all widows and orphans. Welfare issues were always very important to him.
During his career, and also in his retirement, he was greatly involved with Rotary International. Robin joined Rotary while at Seaton in 1982 but was unable to continue upon transferring to Paignton. Membership was renewed in 1994 after retirement, with Ashburton / Buckfastleigh group.
During the following 10 years with the club he was Chairman of Community Service, International, and Foundation Committees, helping to raise money for many local and international good causes. Events he was involved in included art exhibitions and concerts at Buckfast Abbey which in its 5th year raised in excess of £10,000, as well as being the attendance officer for the Club. In 2002 he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship for his charity work. As a result, he and Ruth were invited by Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, a very proud day. He also volunteered as an emergency driver for Rowcroft Hospice filling in when sickness and holidays made it difficult to get people to the Day Centre etc.
Robin Finnemore was very interested in football, playing at a high level in his early years, until a knee injury curtailed his playing days. He remained a very keen supporter of both Argyle and the Grecians. He always enjoyed a good game of cards and was a formidable opponent at Euchre, Whist and Cribbage, amongst others. He also enjoyed gardening - just as well as most of the properties he lived in had quite large gardens! He enjoyed all forms of travel and visited many countries of the world.
In his career and in his spare time he was always a family man at heart and ensured that the family were well looked after with as much time as possible spent together on holidays.