Sergeant Paul Cording BEM bade a fond farewell to North Yorkshire Police this afternoon, marking the end of a distinguished 23-year career. Known for his unwavering commitment to road safety, Paul has taken on numerous challenges over the years, raising thousands of pounds for local and national charities.
A Fitting Farewell
In his final week before retirement, Paul embarked on one last charity challenge. Over 24 hours, he completed a gruelling 126.8KM by running or walking, symbolizing his NYP-issued collar number 1268. This remarkable feat raised over £6,000 for the Police Treatment Centre in Harrogate, which provides treatment and wellbeing services for police officers injured in the line of duty.
A Career Dedicated to Road Safety
Since joining roads policing in 2010, Paul has witnessed the devastating effects of serious and fatal collisions. His experiences have driven him to become a passionate advocate for road safety. Paul has attended over 100 fatal collisions, a sobering reality that has fueled his dedication to making roads safer for all.
In January 2019, Paul partnered with the local charity Road Safety Talks, led by Lauren Doherty BEM, who became paralyzed following a road traffic collision. Together, they have delivered powerful road safety messages to thousands of people across the county, often in Paul’s own spare time.
Service and Recognition
Paul joined North Yorkshire Police in 2001 after nearly a decade of service in the RAF. His initial posting was to Harrogate, where he worked in both response and neighbourhood policing. In 2005, he was promoted to Sergeant, and five years later, he transitioned to roads policing. Over the years, Paul became a familiar face in local schools, on social media, and on Channel 5’s ‘Traffic Cops.
Today, Paul completes his policing career where it began, in the roads policing team, a unit that embodies his passion and dedication. His contributions were formally recognized last year when he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to policing and charity in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours.
Words of Appreciation
Specialist Operations Chief Inspector Alex Butterfield praised Paul’s dedication: “Today Paul will go Status 11 (off duty) for the last time. It will be an emotional moment for Paul and his colleagues. His dedication to raising money for various charities and spreading awareness over several years through extreme physical challenges is nothing short of inspirational.
“As his policing career comes to an end, Paul can reflect knowing he has made a positive and meaningful impact on the communities of North Yorkshire and the colleagues he has served alongside. All of us here at North Yorkshire Police will miss you, Cords. Thank you for your service, and we wish you the very best for the future.”
Paul Cording leaves behind a legacy of service, charity, and unwavering commitment to road safety, and his impact will be felt for years to come.
