Run your own race, take pride in small achievements, says Chief Constable
Chief Constable John Robins QPM DL was made Doctor of the University in recognition of his significant impact and contribution to the District of Bradford and West Yorkshire.
He is also unique in that he is the only serving Chief Constable to have served his entire 34-year career in the same area, in this case West Yorkshire.
Chief Constable Robins was attending the Winter Graduations at the University of Bradford.
Commenting on his award, he said: “This is an incredible honour for me, as someone who has given his whole professional life to serve communities, it’s also something that was completely unexpected. I have so much respect for what the university does and having worked for a considerable amount of time in Bradford, I have seen that with my own eyes.”
Asked what advice he would give to new graduates, he said: “Believe in yourself, be humble, be compassionate, reach for the stars, be happy with what you achieve in life, take pride in small achievements, run your own race and don’t always compare yourself to other people.
“We all change and develop throughout our lives, we are not the finished article, so, follow dreams and passions but don’t always think the first job is going to be the last job. Accept that you will change and mature as you move through your life.”
In 2003, John was posted to Bradford as the Superintendent in charge of Operational Policing. During his three years in Bradford, he dealt with many high-profile local events, commanded numerous policing operations and assisted the community to recover after many periods of heightened tension.
After that John worked at Force Headquarters as a Chief Superintendent overseeing all Criminal Justice matters. In 2008, he became the District Commander of Kirklees, once again dealing with sensitive policing operations that attracted both local and national media coverage.
In 2012, John became an Assistant Chief Constable at Headquarters, leading on Workforce and Standards. He then went on to oversee Local Policing across the Western side of West Yorkshire, reuniting his connection with Bradford.
He became the Temporary Deputy Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, leading on Professional Standards, Ethics and Equality, before securing the role permanently in 2017.
In 2019 John became the Chief Constable for West Yorkshire Police. He was awarded the Queens Police Medal for distinguished service in 2019 and became a Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire in 2022.