John Dibley
Some sad news
By Jennifer Twemlow
John Dibley, a valued member of the Old Police Cells team passed away a few days before Christmas 2007. John Dibley will be an immeasurable loss to the Old Police Cells Society. He had a deep love and knowledge of police history and of Sussex Police. His county-wide contacts and his much loved and respected personality meant that he was so much more than our treasurer.
John was a true man of Sussex, born in Rye and a Sussex resident for most of his life. He served in the Royal Air Force and joined Sussex Police in 1946. He rose through the ranks to be Assistant Chief Constable in 1976. During his police service John was seconded for two years as a staff officer to HM Inspector of Constabulary. Except for that period his whole police career was in Sussex.
After John retired in 1989 he became an expert in police history and wrote a number of articles and assisted in the production of two books dedicated to policing in Lewes and on the history of Sussex Police. John helped to found the Old Police Cells Museum in Brighton Town Hall which is the museum for Sussex Police.
An exceptional man with the highest standards and a very caring manner towards members of the Force and his community. He was chairman of Lewes Round Table and a member of the town's Rotary and Probus clubs amongst so many others. He leaves a wife Jean and two daughters and two grandchildren.
He will be greatly missed.