Custody centre named after former PC (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon custody centre named after former PC

7:00am Sunday 9th September 2012 in News By Hannah Williamson

Croydon police have named their new custody centre after a former PC who was killed on his way to a night duty.

The custody centre on Windmill Road has been formally named Berin Underwood House, at a ceremony hosted by South West Area Commander Alison Newcomb and Croydon Borough Commander David Musker.

PC Berin Underwood was killed in a road traffic collision in Addington Road, when he was on his way to start a night duty at Addington Police station on November 12, 2002.

The PC, who was 39-years-old, was travelling on his motorbike, when a car, driving on the wrong side of the hit him. The driver of the car was subsequently found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving.

PC Underwood had been with the Metropolitan Police for just over a year, but had already established himself as an outstanding officer and was extremely well-respected by his colleagues at Croydon.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled during the ceremony, which was attended by PC Underwood's close family and friends.

Croydon Borough Commander Chief Superintendent David Musker said: "I have spoken to many colleagues here at Croydon and across the Met who knew Berin.

"Every single one of them had nothing but good words to say about a man who was often described as a 'gentle giant' by his colleagues.

"Sadly his time with us was tragically short, but in the year he served as a constable he had already established himself as a fine officer his family, colleagues and local community could be proud of.

"It is with great honour we have named this building after him, so colleagues past, present and future can always be reminded of Berin's great contribution to policing in Croydon."