Detective Superintendent James Paterson Izatt Stirling and Clackmann and Strathclyde Police
The Man James Paterson Izatt (Jim) was born on Friday 2nd October 1931 at Borrowston House, Borrowstounness (Bo'ness), West Lothian, Scotland son of John Paterson, a Bookbinder and Margaret Steel nee Sorley, a Newsagent Sales Assistant. He had one younger sister: Isabella McNee born in 1934.
Following his education and on 2nd February 1950, most likely as a National Serviceman, Jim enlisted into the 514th (West Lothian, Royal Scots) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, Territorial Army with service number 22330133, later transferring to the Special Reserve Royal Military Police on 7th April 1952. He was also a small-bore rifle Champion, winning many trophies in the Falkirk area and beyond, following in his father’s footsteps.
During the early 1950s Jim joined the Stirling and Clackmannan Police, serving in Falkirk, Stirling and Kilsyth both as a uniformed Officer and in the CID and in 1954 married Jean Isabel Macpherson. In November 1961 he was promoted from Detective Constable to uniform Sergeant at Kilsyth, followed by promotions to Inspector and Chief Inspector.
He was the Chief Inspector at Kilsyth before transferring to Strathclyde Police at regionalisation in 1975, being awarded his Police Exemplary Service Medal at about this time. He was later promoted to Superintendent, Community Involvement Branch, stationed at Motherwell. Jim will be remembered for his many innovative ideas and successfully promoting crime prevention in the broadest sense. He was described as ‘A very popular boss’!
Jim was also Charter President of the Rotary Club of Kilsyth from 1974-75 and one of his police schemes was a converted double decker bus, kitted out with crime prevention displays, sponsored by RC Kilsyth and provided by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders, Falkirk.
In 1977, close to his retirement he was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 as Detective Superintendent, returning to uniform thereafter and retiring as Superintendent on 19th March 1978.
Following retirement Jim joined the Stakis Leisure Group and went on to become the U.K. Head of Security, a role that involved a great deal of travelling around the country and overseas.
Jim died of pneumonia on 20th June 2018 at Airthrey Care Home, Airth, Stirlingshire, aged 86. His funeral and cremation were held on Wednesday 4th July 2018, at Falkirk Crematorium, located within Camelon Cemetery, Dorrator Road, Camelon. Jean passed away on 11th April 2020 at the same address.
Following his education and on 2nd February 1950, most likely as a National Serviceman, Jim enlisted into the 514th (West Lothian, Royal Scots) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, Territorial Army with service number 22330133, later transferring to the Special Reserve Royal Military Police on 7th April 1952. He was also a small-bore rifle Champion, winning many trophies in the Falkirk area and beyond, following in his father’s footsteps.
During the early 1950s Jim joined the Stirling and Clackmannan Police, serving in Falkirk, Stirling and Kilsyth both as a uniformed Officer and in the CID and in 1954 married Jean Isabel Macpherson. In November 1961 he was promoted from Detective Constable to uniform Sergeant at Kilsyth, followed by promotions to Inspector and Chief Inspector.
He was the Chief Inspector at Kilsyth before transferring to Strathclyde Police at regionalisation in 1975, being awarded his Police Exemplary Service Medal at about this time. He was later promoted to Superintendent, Community Involvement Branch, stationed at Motherwell. Jim will be remembered for his many innovative ideas and successfully promoting crime prevention in the broadest sense. He was described as ‘A very popular boss’!
Jim was also Charter President of the Rotary Club of Kilsyth from 1974-75 and one of his police schemes was a converted double decker bus, kitted out with crime prevention displays, sponsored by RC Kilsyth and provided by Walter Alexander Coachbuilders, Falkirk.
In 1977, close to his retirement he was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 as Detective Superintendent, returning to uniform thereafter and retiring as Superintendent on 19th March 1978.
Following retirement Jim joined the Stakis Leisure Group and went on to become the U.K. Head of Security, a role that involved a great deal of travelling around the country and overseas.
Jim died of pneumonia on 20th June 2018 at Airthrey Care Home, Airth, Stirlingshire, aged 86. His funeral and cremation were held on Wednesday 4th July 2018, at Falkirk Crematorium, located within Camelon Cemetery, Dorrator Road, Camelon. Jean passed away on 11th April 2020 at the same address.
The Story The medal pair awarded to James Paterson Izatt were acquired from E-Bay on 20th June 2022. Despite the fact it is a simple pair, replicated a number of times in this collection, the interest lay in the fact his Police Exemplary Service Medal is named to him as a Chief Inspector, no mean feat to achieve the rank within 22 years, and the fact his Silver Jubilee Medal 1977 was awarded as a Detective Superintendent.
A search on Ancestry.UK and Scotland’s People enabled a very brief biography to be completed, but did reveal a picture of James.
In August 2023 contact was made by George Barnsley of the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society, George had known ‘Jim’ Izatt and provided much additional information and photographs to expand his biography.
A search on Ancestry.UK and Scotland’s People enabled a very brief biography to be completed, but did reveal a picture of James.
In August 2023 contact was made by George Barnsley of the Lanarkshire Police Historical Society, George had known ‘Jim’ Izatt and provided much additional information and photographs to expand his biography.
Medal Details
- Silver Jubilee Medal 1977: Unnamed as awarded.
- Police Exemplary Service Medal: CH.INSPR. JAMES.P. IZATT
This page last updated 20 Aug 23
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