#durham175
17. Durham’s longest-serving Chief Constable was Alec Muir, who was in charge of the force from 1950-1970. He sometimes got into trouble for airing controversial views but he was also a forward-thinking chief who pioneered the use of science and technology.

For example, in 1962 Durham became the first force in the country to use a police helicopter - a Brantly, made in the USA and owned by a firm in Darlington (pictured below, along with the modern-day version)