Welcome visit

The new Chief Constable of Merseyside Police paid a visit to his old school, St Francis Xavier’s College, to talk to pupils about modern day policing.

During his visit, Chief Constable Andy Cooke met with teachers and was given a tour of the school’s state-of-the art facilities which were completed last year. He then talked to pupils from Years 7 to 12 about policing on Merseyside and policing as a career of choice.

Mr Cooke was joined on the day by PC Michael Gormley, who has recently joined the force as a police officer and is also an ex-pupil from SFX.

Chief Constable Cooke started at St Francis Xavier’s College in Woolton in 1975 and after finishing his A-levels he went on to study a degree in politics at Nottingham University.

After being awarded his degree Mr Cooke, who had set his heart on being a police officer as a child, joined Merseyside Police in 1985 as a constable on the beat in the Kensington area. He became a detective in 1989 and since then he has worked his way through the ranks as a detective at every level.

Chief Constable Cooke, said: “I’m delighted to be able to go back to St Francis Xavier’s which played a vital part in my formative years and was instrumental in giving me a solid educational grounding. I was by no means a grade A, perfect student, but the school helped to focus my mind on what I wanted and I was able to achieve the grades I needed to get me to university.

“I am really proud to be the Chief Constable of the city and county where I grew up and if I can encourage others to join the force and to protect the communities they serve locally it’s a job well done.”

Les Rippon, headteacher of St Francis Xavier’s College, said: “We are very proud of Andy Cooke’s achievements as a former pupil. He is very much a role model for our students and has lived out the college mission statement of ‘life in all its fullness’. He has demonstrated to our young people the importance of having an aim in life and being determined to achieve it by overcoming challenges on the way. He has shown the importance of determination, hard work and self- belief.

“We all wish him well in his new position and look forward to him visiting the school again in the not too distant future.”