‘Talented’ detective who had 30-year career at Scotland Yard dies after testing positive for Covid as he becomes latest police officer to fall victim to pandemic
- Detective Sergeant Darren Barker, 51, died after being diagnosed with Covid-19
- He joined the Met Police in 1992 and worked as a specialist financial investigator
- Colleagues at Met described Det Sgt Barker as an ‘extremely talented’ detective
- He is latest officer to die after contracting Covid, amid calls for police jab priority
- Jon Wain, 49, a police constable in Bury passed away on Monday, February 15
- Nick Oldfield, 48, a police constable for Staffordshire Police, died January 21
An ‘extremely talented’ detective who had a thirty year career at the Metropolitan Police has died after testing positive for Covid-19.
Specialist financial investigator Detective Sergeant Darren Barker, 51, died last Friday after being admitted to hospital in late January.
Det Sgt Barker, who had worked at the Met since 1992, was classed as vulnerable, Scotland Yard said.
He been shielding from Covid but had continued to work on investigations from home during the pandemic.
In a tribute, Detective Chief Superintendent James Harman, from the Met’s Specialist Operations Command, said even while working from home Det Sgt Barker’s leadership was ‘truly invaluable’.
He said: ‘He will be remembered fondly by everyone he worked with, and will be greatly missed by us all.
Specialist financial investigator Detective Sergeant Darren Barker (pictured), 51, died last Friday after being admitted to hospital in late January
‘We are truly saddened by his loss and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.’
Det Sgt Barker is the latest officer to die after testing positive for Covid, amid calls for officers to be prioritised in the Government’s vaccine rollout plan.
Jon Wain, 49, who had worked as a police constable in Bury for Greater Manchester Police for 17 years, passed away on Monday, February 15, leaving behind his partner, Gaynor, and two sons.
Nick Oldfield, 48, who worked as a police constable for Staffordshire Police for ten years, died in hospital on January 21, almost a month after contracting Covid-19.
He leaves behind his partner of 20 years Sarah and their three children aged ten, 15 and 18.
Speaking of Mr Wain on behalf of Greater Manchester Police Federation, his colleague Brett Grange said it had been an ‘honour’ to work with him.
Police constable Jon Wain (pictured left), 49, who died on 15 February 2021 after contracting Covid-19. Former PC Nick Oldfield (pictured right), 48, who died with coronavirus. He worked for Staffordshire Police for ten years
‘Devoted’ police officer, 43, is found dead at home days after ‘probe was launched into Covid rule breach with colleague’
A ‘devoted’ Sussex Police officer has died suddenly at home, just days after being told he would be investigated for breaching coronavirus rules.
Police constable Doug Franks, 43, who served as a member of the Bognor Response team, died at his home in Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, on February 10. He leaves behind a son
Police constable Doug Franks, 43, who served as a member of the Bognor Response team, died at his home in Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, on February 10. He leaves behind a son.
Friends of the officer told the Sun that he had been fined for breaking the no-gathering Covid rule after colleagues reported him for meeting a female officer in a car park to complete paperwork outside of work hours.
Mr Franks was told he was being investigated for misconduct by Sussex Police just days before his death, the publication reports.
A source told the Sun: ‘He was the loveliest bloke, a top officer who was extremely good at his job and who loved his career serving the public and was the best, most devoted father to his beautiful son.’
Sussex Police Force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for an investigation into the death of Mr Franks.
A Sussex Police spokesman said: ‘The force is deeply saddened by the death of PC Franks at his home in Hampshire last Wednesday.
‘A referral has been made to the IOPC and Sussex Police is supporting Hampshire in their investigation on behalf of HM Coroner.
‘As such, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further and we ask for the privacy of the family to be respected at this difficult time.’
Mr Grange said: ‘I last saw Jon late last year walking his dog. We had a brief socially distant chat on the street and I left him with the words: “Look after yourself Jon”- as we both knew as an operational officer he faced enhanced risk.
‘He faced that risk gallantly and we have all lost a true gentleman to this horrible virus.
‘Our thoughts are with Jon’s family, friends and close colleagues at this very sad time, and we will be supporting them as best we can.’
PC Wain first joined GMP in 2003 and worked in the response team in Bury.
Tributes have also been paid to police constable Mr Nick Oldfield who was described as a ‘truly amazing cop’ and was well-known on the streets of North Staffordshire having spent ten years with Staffordshire Police.
During that time, he helped put numerous criminals behind bars and received two commendations for saving lives.
However, he was forced to retire on medical grounds five years ago after being diagnosed with functional neurological disorder – a condition affecting the nervous system.
His grief-stricken partner Sarah, from Hartshill, said: ‘Nick was such a big character. He had the fun-factor and was the Peter Pan who never grew up. He has left a big hole in our lives.
‘We didn’t think Covid would touch us because Nick never went out of the house which is why it’s been so shocking that it took him down.
‘Somehow it got into our house and it got passed to him, because of his medical illness he didn’t leave the house to pick it up. It makes you realise how scary this virus is.’
Nick first tested positive for coronavirus on December 30 after complaining of chest pain and lethargy.
His health then rapidly deteriorated and he was taken into intensive care at the Royal Stoke University Hospital on January 6.
Nick was placed on a ventilator to give him the best possible chance of pulling through.
However the dad-of-three’s loved-ones were told the devastating news he had passed away on January 21.
Paying tribute to Nick, Sarah described him as an ‘amazing’ dad who was their youngest daughter’s ‘superhero’.
She added: ‘When he was in the police he got two awards because he was heroic. He always threw himself into danger, saving people’s life.
‘He enjoyed everything about his job. He never complained and I don’t think he ever had a sick day. He thought he was like Will Smith from the Bad Boys.
‘Family meant everything, the kids were his world and he was their hero. He was a big clown and was encouraging the kids to get up to mischief.
‘He will be missed tremendously. I didn’t realise how many people’s lives he has touched until I had that many messages.
‘He brought humour to his colleagues’ jobs and was always there to pick them up when they were down. That’s what he did to us as a family. He was like the glue that held us together.’
Pictured from left: PC Nick Oldfield alongside PC Ruth Jones and PC Emma Morris. The three were nominated for Our Heroes for conduct when called out to machete attack
Other officers to have died after testing positive for Covid include PC Michael Warren.
The 37-year-old died last month after it was confirmed he had contracted the virus the previous week.
As he was classed as ‘vulnerable’, PC Warren had been shielding at home.
PC Michael Warren, 37, passed away on Tuesday after it was confirmed he had contracted the Covid-19 earlier in the week
But he had endeavoured to log on remotely to help his colleagues. It is not clear what underlying health problem he had.
PC Warren is survived by his wife Vicky, his children Eden, 8, and Joseph, 5, and both his parents.
He had been with the Metropolitan Police for more than 15 years, and was most recently attached to the Met’s Territorial Support Group.
The father-of-two is believed to be the first serving Met officer to have died after being diagnosed with the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.
Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said earlier this week that three other colleagues, including a police community support officer, have also died.
Met Taskforce Chief Superintendent Karen Findlay, last month paid tribute to PC Warren, describing the father-of-two as a ‘lovely, genuine and hard-working’ officer.
She said: ‘To lose his life at the young age of 37 is truly heart-breaking and my deepest thoughts and sympathies are with all who knew him, particularly his parents Pauline and Alan, his partner Vicky and their lovely children.
‘Mike was a devoted father and a good police officer. Across the Met and the TSG he was a friend to many of his colleagues.
‘He had a dry sense of humour and was often the heart and soul of a team in a TSG carrier.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick previously said she was ‘baffled’ that frontline officers are not closer to the front of the Covid-19 vaccine queue
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan paid tribute to PC Warren, writing: ‘My heart goes out to the entire @MetPoliceUK family following the tragic loss of PC Michael Warren to Covid-19’
Police officers are told they can get a Covid-19 jab but must not wear their uniform at vaccination centres
Police officers have been told they can get vaccinated at health centres with spare capacity – but must wear plain clothes so as not to draw attention to themselves.
Force leaders were said to have felt ‘betrayed’ when Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced this week that frontline officers may have to wait months for jabs.
But the Mail has learnt of an arrangement with the NHS that lets police receive a vaccine if there is spare capacity at a centre and the jab would otherwise go to waste.
In an internal memo, staff are advised that they cannot be seen to receive preferential treatment that would contradict the Government’s decision not to prioritise police.
It also emerged that some officers have sidestepped even this discreet arrangement by booking jabs through services meant for NHS staff.
It comes after Scotland Yard said last month that five Met officers had died with Covid in little more than a fortnight.
A custody sergeant, three constables and a traffic police community officer died between January 11 and January 26.
Met Police bosses circulated the jabs memo after officers shared a link on WhatsApp that allowed them to ignore the agreed protocols and book in for vaccinations at Hillingdon Hospital in west London, via a link originally intended for health workers.
Officers were urged not to use the link but if they had already booked an appointment then they should ‘still attend but in plainclothes or a plainclothes jacket and not in marked vehicles’.
The same dress code advice is given for officers who manage to book a spare vaccine at a health centre.
‘Mike’s passion for policing and serving the communities of London was unwavering, even after he started shielding at home so he could focus on his health given the current risk of Covid-19.
‘He regularly went above and beyond to support his TSG colleagues virtually, doing anything he could to add value – our policing family has lost a kind, genuine and enthusiastic police officer.
‘He was very much motivated to return to frontline duties, and he regularly spoke about how he looked forwarded to putting his uniform back on and going out on patrol with his colleagues.
‘His death is a bitterly stark and upsetting reminder of the human impact of this virus, I know we will all miss him dearly.’
Last month, tributes were also paid to a ‘completely fearless’ police officer and father-of-two who died after testing positive for Covid-19.
Police constable Abbasuddin Ahmed, 40, was a serving officer on the Trafford district for Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
He died in hospital in January, having tested positive for the virus in December, the force said.
The officer, known as Abbas or Abs, joined GMP in March 2017 but had been away from the front line during the pandemic, instead working from home ‘to look after his health’.
The force said the officer was described by colleagues on the Stretford Response Team as ‘the greatest brother in and out of work’ and ‘such a lovely man who was never seen without a smile on his face’.
Another tribute, shared by the force, said he had ‘lived up to his name meaning ‘lion’ – brave, loyal, a fighter, protective, and completely fearless.
‘Abs will live in our hearts forever.’
Inspector Abid Sardar, co-chair of the GMP Muslim Police Association, said: ‘I would describe him as a committed police officer, true friend and family man.
‘Abbas will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him.’
Earlier this week Sussex Police announced the death of Sergeant Sean Preston, 50, who died on February 12, weeks after catching Covid.
The grandfather worked as a custody sergeant in Worthing, West Sussex, having previously been a policeman at Gatwick airport.
A force spokesman said Sgt Preston had been working from home for several months and was admitted to hospital in January after contracting Covid-19. He leaves his partner, children and grandchildren.
Sergeant Sean Preston (pictured left), 50, died on February 12, weeks after catching Covid. Police constable Abbasuddin Ahmed (pictured right), 40, was a serving officer on the Trafford district for Greater Manchester Police (GMP)
Ministers urged health experts to vaccinate people by age and ethnicity rather than their professions
Ministers will be urged to vaccinate people by age and ethnicity rather than their job during the next phase of the coronavirus jab roll-out, it was claimed on Tuesday.
Number 10’s leading jab experts are expected to advise that the UK continues with its age-based approach after the nine most vulnerable groups are inoculated.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will also urge ministers to prioritise some ethnic minority groups, who are at a disproportionate risk of dying from Covid, The Telegraph reports.
Members are said to be particularly concerned about mortality rates among South Asians, who studies have shown are twice as likely to succumb to the virus as their white peers.
Both Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock have previously said teachers, police officers, shop owners and other key workers could be bumped up the priority list once the top groups have been jabbed.
But JCVI sources suggested this week that prioritising people based on their occupation would ‘create too much complication’ and ‘risk slowing the roll-out down’.
Paying tribute, Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: ‘Sean was a highly respected and experienced officer working in a number of roles within the service including Neighbourhood Sergeant at Gatwick Airport and Custody Officer at Worthing and Brighton.
‘Sean was a huge character with a great sense of humour he was loved by everyone he worked with and devoted to his family.’
The deaths come amid a growing row over whether front line professionals, such as police officers and teachers, should be prioritised as part of the vaccine rollout.
The Met’s police chief Dame Cressida Dick last month said she was ‘baffled’ that frontline police officers have not been prioritised for the Covid vaccine.
But hopes that frontline public workers might be prioritised in the rollout appeared to be dashed earlier this week.
Ministers will be urged to vaccinate people by age and ethnicity rather than their job during the next phase of the coronavirus jab roll-out, it was claimed on Tuesday.
Number 10’s leading jab experts are expected to advise that the UK continues with its age-based approach after the nine most vulnerable groups are inoculated.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will also urge ministers to prioritise some ethnic minority groups, who are at a disproportionate risk of dying from Covid, The Telegraph reports.
Members are said to be particularly concerned about mortality rates among South Asians, who studies have shown are twice as likely to succumb to the virus as their white peers.
Both Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock have previously said teachers, police officers, shop owners and other key workers could be bumped up the priority list once the top groups have been jabbed.
But JCVI sources suggested this week that prioritising people based on their occupation would ‘create too much complication’ and ‘risk slowing the roll-out down’.
Officials have until now been focusing on vaccinating the top four vulnerable groups — everyone over the age of 70, NHS staff, care home residents and workers, and extremely ill adults.
Earlier this week NHS England officially moved onto the second stage of the vaccine drive, inviting over-65s and ‘clinically vulnerable’ younger people, after announcing 15million of Britain’s most vulnerable residents had received their first dose of the jab.
The programme will aim to give everyone over the age of 50 their first dose by the end of April.
Those under 50 are expected to be offered their first dose of the Covid jab by the summer.
Source: Read Full Article