A Family Bond in the Control Room: Meet Bruce and Luke

This Father’s Day, we’re celebrating a special father-son team, Bruce and Luke. They don’t just share a surname- they work side by side in one of our busy police control rooms. Together, they’ve spent years helping colleagues, working long shifts, and using their experience to support our emergency services. 

We visited them in their control room to learn more about their journey, how it all began, what it’s like working together, and how their family life connects to their work in policing. 

Bruce, tell us about how your policing journey began.

I started my working life at the age of 16, joining the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a communications operator. That involved working with teleprinters and using Morse code- pretty different from today’s technology!  

I served in the RAF for 17 years before joining Thames Valley Police in 1984 as a police officer. I spent 22 years on the streets of Oxford, which I absolutely loved, before retiring from the frontline in 2005. But I wasn’t ready to sit still, so I jumped straight into the civilian control room role, where I’ve been ever since. I’m currently nearing 58 years of continuous employment and still enjoying it- retirement doesn’t appeal to me just yet. 

What was it like when Luke decided to follow in your footsteps? 

Bruce: When Luke was looking for a career change, I knew there were some openings in the control room and suggested he apply. Fortunately, he got the job and we’ve been working shifts together since 2013. We’ve never had any disagreements and always keep things professional at work. Occasionally, we even get paired together on the radio. 

It’s quite a proud feeling really. Knowing Luke chose to come into the same environment and is thriving makes it all worth it. 

Luke, did your dad influence your decision to join the police control room? 

Absolutely. I’ve grown up around policing. Dad was a police officer throughout my childhood, so the service has always been part of our lives. When he recommended the control room to me, I was looking for something more rewarding, and it felt like the right fit. 

Dad’s had a brilliant career- he’s won various control room and police awards, including the Jim Webb Award and long service recognition. Having someone like that in your corner gives you a lot of motivation to do well. 

Do you give each other advice at work? 

Luke: Due to my father’s vast experience, it is usually me taking advice from him, particularly around learning the geographical areas that we cover as a force. It is important to know where officers are at all times for their safety. To have my family support my career within the control room allows me to have the confidence to progress into management. 

I have learnt aspects of assertiveness, which is important within the control room environment, but to mix this with humour. This enables me to work effectively but also enjoy the day.

Bruce: We’re on the same shift pattern, which is unusual for a father and son. Though our hours can differ slightly, and we’re not always working directly together. I treat Luke the same as everyone else, even when he was my supervisor for a time. That was a funny twist, but I respected the role, and we worked well regardless of titles. 

I always reach out to Luke when it comes to all the new technology we use nowadays; he’s much quicker with that sort of thing than I am! 

And outside of work, Bruce, what keeps you busy? 

Bruce: I’ve been married to my wife, Delia, for 48 years now. We’ve got three brilliant kids, Luke, of course, plus Kylie, who runs a fantasy jewellery business and is married to a former police officer, and Thomas, who manages the Oxfordshire Library service. Between them, I’ve got four grandkids who keep us busy. 

When I’m not working, I enjoy fiddling about at home or playing the occasional very bad nine holes of golf. I also follow Lincoln City and try to catch their games when they play locally. 

Any final thoughts as we celebrate Father’s Day? 

Luke: It’s quite special to be able to say I work with my dad and learn from him every day. That’s not something many people get to experience. 

Bruce: It’s been a long and fulfilling career. To be able to share part of it with my son has been a real privilege. 

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Happy Father’s Day to Bruce and Luke, and to all the incredible families working across policing. Your commitment, professionalism, and support for one another help keep our communities safe every single day. 

If you’re interested in finding out more about becoming a 999/101 Call Handler, visit our Contact Management page.