Speaker 16th March 2017 Mr Michael Benning

Speaker 16th March 2017 

MICHAEL BENNING  QPM

Career Summary

Appointed Chief Superintendent in 1992 as Divisional Commander for Southend Division, Essex Police. Mike Benning spent most of his operational duties with Essex Police working along the north bank of the Thames from Grays Thurrock and Basildon through to Southend on Sea.

 Served from 1969 to 2000 as a police officer and then a further 10 years in different roles. His career also encompassed some time at Police Headquarters including spells as Staff Officer to the Chief Constable and as an Instructor at the Essex Police College

 He was responsible for policing a number of major incidents and events including the Operational Commander role at two of the Stansted Airport hijackings. Has also commanded many Royal Visits to the county, including HM The Queen in addition to a couple of Prime Ministerial visits. Directing many public order and firearms incidents he has policed too many football matches to remember. 

As Senior Investigating Officer following the killing of two young mothers, in a hit and run incident, he led a protracted and complex investigation, from nothing more than some broken headlamp glass and paint samples as the initial evidence. Numerous enquiries eventually led to the arrest and conviction of the driver responsible.

 Was awarded the Queens Police Medal in the New Years Honours list of 2000.

He has lectured upon policing issues to the Joint Services Defence College and the Comparative Justice Institute, American University, Washington DC. Has also lectured and had an article published on Leadership.

Since retiring he has been an assessor of candidates for accelerated promotion on the High Potential Development Course and was also contracted to Essex Police reviewing performance on Basic Command Units.

His interests are mainly sporting having achieved an FA Coaching Certificate many years ago. He has completed 13 marathons and a non-stop relay from John O’Groats to Lands End in less then 5 days, all raising considerable amounts for charity. Confesses to being a very average and inconsistent golfer but is hooked on the game, which is probably an apt description for many of his shots as they fly into trees and lakes whilst he occasionally visits the fairway. A regular traveller to France, (nothing to do with the wine!), whilst he tries to master the language. Has some way to go yet but it’s a good excuse for his trips across the Channel.

 Has had his first book Island Joggings published. An amusing and fresh perspective on what it’s like to be a British man coping with middle age and life on a tropical island and his penchant for stumbling into awkward situations. Embracing his impression of the Cayman Islands it’s themed around his early morning jogging adventures and mishaps, including unintended meetings with Machete Man, an airborne telegraph pole and a racing chicken intermingled with some ‘odd’ policing anecdotes. As one review explained, ’the humanity and humour infused will have readers laughing out loud one minute and reaching for a tissue the next.’

The book led to an opportunity to lecture on cruise lines and he now spends his time jumping on and off cruise ships and talking for his supper.