Police inspector plans dual role

Insp Andrew Earl is never off duty as a police officer or a clergy man

A police inspector believes he could be the first officer to wear a dog collar while on duty.

Andrew Earle, 43, from South Kirkby, is to be ordained as an Anglican Deacon by the Bishop of Wakefield in July.

He will then become assistant curate at St Mary the Virgin church in South Elmsall while still working at South Kirkby police station.

Insp Earl said he will wear the collar at all times because a clergy man, like a police man, "is never off duty".

The married father-of-three joined the police force when he was 16 and has been chaplain to West Yorkshire police for six years.

Similar roles

He says both roles are very similar because they are connected to the community.

"You have heard the saying a police officer is never off duty, well a clergy man is never off duty either," said Insp Earl.

"I have never in my 25 years come across anybody who is ordained and who wears a collar as a police officer.

"I think I am the first. I thought it was better to honest and be visible."

His move has received the full backing of the Bishop of Wakefield and his colleagues.

Insp Earl admits there may be occasions when it will be inappropriate or unsafe to wear a collar.

"If I go to a riot, like the Bradford riots, it would not be a good idea to be wearing a piece of plastic around my neck," he said.

"My colleagues have joked that I should get a flame retardant one."