R J Mitchell

ROBERT JAMES MITCHELL was brought up in Stirling where he attended Riverside Primary school between 1972 and 1979 before moving onto Wallace High School.

Having developed a keen interest in history from an early age, especially medieval history, Mitchell regularly corresponded with the Scottish historical novelist Nigel Tranter during his teenage years in the mid-eighties. He graduated MA Honours in British, European and Scottish Medieval History from Glasgow University in July 1989 and joined Strathclyde Police, on July 31, 1989.

Mitchell was initially detailed beat duties out of the former Blackhill Police Office and then Baird Street Police Office in the former D Division, or the North, as it was known to all the men who served in the division. The author still cherishes his first set of shoulder numerals which were D325.

RJ Mitchell joined the Community Police Department at Baird Street, D Divisional HQ, on January 19, 1984, where he was detailed as Community Constable for Central Springburn with primary responsibility for policing of the Balgray Hill and Springburn beat areas and Stobhill Hospital. During this period Mitchell was also seconded on an aide attachment with CID in the Easterhouse and Springburn areas before returning to Community Policing in the Balornock Area.

In September 1998 Mitchell was seconded to the Community Involvement Branch at D Divisional HQ, Baird Street where he undertook a number of roles, most notably as the Divisional Allocator to the Childrens Panel and Local Press Liaison officer.