Chief Superintendent Sally Bourner is hanging up her hat after a career which has seen her rise from beat bobby to commander of policing in Dudley after three decades of tackling crime and protecting the public across the West Midlands.

Sally - who also loves to sing in her spare time − joined West Midlands Police as a 22-year-old in 1990 immediately after graduating with a degree in French from the University of Birmingham. Being able to make a difference as a police officer by helping people in need was always her dream.

Sally started her career as a beat bobby working from Steelhouse Lane in Birmingham and has since been involved in tackling serious and organised crime and leading covert policing teams; along with leading Force Contact and playing a key role in the force’s WMP2020 transformation programme.

But it’s through her neighbourhood policing roles in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Solihull and, most recently, Dudley, that she has been a well-known and respected community presence. Sally said:

“Policing for me has been a real privilege. I have enjoyed meeting so many people and being in a position to help and make a difference to the lives of others. There’s no better feeling and I would recommend a career in policing to anyone.

"I would do it all over again in the blink of an eye. Helping people has been my core purpose and that still remains as I prepare to start new adventures.  

“After I have had a bit of a rest I would like to spend some of my time volunteering for charities that help people in need. I’m also looking to brush up on my French and learn to play the piano that has been gathering dust in the dining room at home.

“Retirement will also allow more time with family and friends and include adventures in our vintage VW campervan affectionately known as Betty!" 

Chief Superintendent Bourner has also been a regular guest on Black Country Radio, both on air and in person at events the station has been a part of. Presenter, Clive Payne, said:

"It's always been a pleasure having Sally on the show. Both on and off air, she's a fountain of knowledge, a consummate professional and a genuine person with time for everyone. Her passion for policing, and for the Black Country, is evident.

"It's very rare that someone of a senior rank will come on the radio to answer calls from the public because of the time constraints of their role. But Sally always made time for us and made time to speak to the public directly, which is to be commended.

"Her contribution to the borough is immeasurable and, on behalf of the station, I'd like to wish her well in her retirement and the best of luck with leaving the job behind - something I know she'll find difficult!"