Hugh Moore (police officer)
Hugh Moore | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1929 |
| Died | 4 December 1993 (aged 64) Bushey, Hertfordshire, England |
| Police career | |
| Department | City of London Police |
| Service years | 1955–1993 |
| Rank | Commander |
| Awards | QPM |
Commander Hugh John Moore, QPM (1929 – 4 December 1993) was a police officer in the City of London Police who died from heart failure on 4 December 1993, two weeks after a violent struggle with a man who he had attempted to arrest.[1]
Career
Moore joined the police force in 1955, following a period of National Service in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.[1] He was a member of the Criminal Investigation Department of the City of London Police, but also served in the City Fraud Squad and Regional Crime Squads, and was promoted through the ranks. As Commander, he oversaw the investigation into the death of Roberto Calvi, dubbed "God's Banker", in June 1982.[1][2] In July that year, Moore gave evidence in the trial of two City of London Police officers, held as part of Operation Countryman, in which he denied corruption allegations made by one of the defendants.[3] The allegations had been made on a secret tape recording, though the defendant had subsequently withdrawn them on the grounds that he had been drunk at the time they were made.[4]
Moore was also involved with the police investigations into the collapses of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International and the Maxwell empire.[5] He was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the 1992 New Year's Honours.[6] He oversaw the establishment of the ring of steel surrounding the City of London in 1993.[7] Over his career, he received eleven commendations from commissioners and judges for his work.[1]
Death
On 19 November 1993, Moore attempted to arrest a man he suspected to be a bogus charity worker collecting for Great Ormond Street Hospital. During the arrest, he suffered cuts to his face, arms and legs, and was admitted to hospital the next day. He died, aged 64, from heart failure in a private hospital in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on 4 December 1993, and was survived by his widow, Connie, and grown-up son, Roger. He had been due to retire that September.[7] His funeral was held on 16 December at St. John the Baptist Church, High Barnet.[8] He is buried at Bells Hill Burial Ground, Chipping Barnet.
The Commissioner of the City police, Owen Kelly, described him as "one of the most professionally accomplished police officers I have ever known", and as a "modest man" who "would be the last to mention his own achievements". He said "[h]is death is a great loss to this force and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him."[7]
A coroner later ruled that Moore had been unlawfully killed, and the police inquiry into his death was subsequently stepped up to a murder inquiry.[5] It is not known if any charges were brought in connection with Moore's death.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Hugh Moore". The Times. 10 December 1993.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Frances Gibb; Peter Nicols (21 June 1982). "Italian banker's last days leave police with puzzle". The Times.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ "Corruption claim rejected by police chief". The Times. 7 July 1982.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Tendler, Stewart (2 July 1982). "Detective on tape 'was drunk'". The Times.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ a b Leonard, Tom (9 March 1994). "MURDER PROBE ON POLICE CHIEF". Evening Standard.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ "SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE" (PDF). London Gazette. 31 December 1991. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
- ^ a b c Colley, Teilo (5 December 1993). "POLICE CHIEF DIES TWO WEEKS AFTER ARREST INCIDENT". Press Association.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Ramsay, Allan (16 December 1993). "Face of the police chief's City conman". Evening Standard.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help)
External links
- City of London Police on the Police Memorial Trust's Roll of Honour