In Summer 1977, two Blantyre Police officers were given their “stripes”.
Constables Alastair Dinsmor and Andrew Kousourou were promoted to sergeant making the local newspapers. Both men lived with their wives and families in Blantyre at the time of their promotion and both had been stationed in Glasgow.
When speaking to reporters, Alastair listed his hobbies as collecting police insignia and photography, while Andrew, in his off duty days enjoyed rugby and judo. Alistair moved to A Division of Strathclyde Police and Andrew to E Division.
A task to list the police officers who have served in Blantyre over the centuries is slowly being compiled, but in its infancy. I always like to post about hard working people being promoted and let’s face it, Blantyre Police had their work cut out in the 1970s! Perhaps the families of these men can add more info.
On Social Media, the following comments received on Facebook :
David Baillie One on the left caught me and a friend shooting down at Craighead we had my pals Labrador cross with us.Took us to police station in Blantyre where my pals dog pissed all over the floor.
David Beggs 1979 the same thing happened with me and a friend down the Calder shooting rats took us down to low Blantyre along with my dog. That’s when I found out the Calder is a public park. Some public park cows and horses running around
Thomas Barrett Can’t remember these two, I was a reformed character by 1977.
William Paul Gallagher I remember McKenzie and he was a bully type …held me in the cells for drinking Scotsmac before Scotland v Northern Ireland .. let me go after the game so I couldn’t go… that’s just cruel and petty.
Caren Barrie I knew Andrew through obedience. He had a weimeraner.
William Mullen Couldn’t catch a cold ah the good old days
John Corny Cornfield The Blantyre cops in the seventies were absolute bullies! Only 2 decent out of the full quota Brian Malloy, and Rudi Coia. The only fair 2 out of the lot of them! I was fitted up ! More than once by the Blantyre cops! I was no angel but hounded by them ! They used to come down the Clyde across from Bothwell castle to hound us when we were drinking our carry outs! There were no houses for miles in any direction!
John Cunning John cornfield you and barney were no saints but great guys.
Allison Jon Cam Andy Kousourou spent many a year in obedience training, remember him well.
John Richardson The biggest legit mafia force on the planet, that is the police force. I remember a few names there, most were bullies but what do we expect from Strathclydes finest.
Jim Gerrards When Polis were the Polis.
Iain Mcmillan Alastair was my skipper at indoor bowling for a while lovely guy