| NOTTINGHAMSHIRE NARPO Robert John Stapleford It is with sadness that we have to inform you of the death of Robert John Stapleford, aged 79 years, a retired Police Officer. John, as he was known by many, died on Wednesday 5 January 2022. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time. Funeral details Friday, 11th February, 2022 at 11.30am Gedling Crematorium, Catfoot Ln, Lambley, Nottingham NG4 4QH We hope you all can join the family at the funeral service in person so that we can remember and honour the passing of John. The service will be live streamed for those who are unable to attend in person. Please email: RJSservicelivestream@gmail.com and a link to the online service can be sent to you if you are unable to attend. The family welcomes donations to the Lewy Body Society as an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers. This can be accessed via the link: https://bit.ly/3GM5esoLewyBodySocietyDonation John joined the County Force in 1962 and was posted to Sutton in Ashfield. Before completing his probationary period he transferred to Mansfield C I D. He served at a number of station and departments, including Central and the Special Ops Unit. He retired in 1995. A light buffet, with tea and coffee will be provided at the funeral reception from 12.15pm Friday 11 February 2022. If you would like to join the family at the reception, please RSVP as soon as possible to: RJSfuneralwake@gmail.com and you will be provided with the full venue details which is in Arnold, and the timings. Please add your comments below John Kennedy Secretary, Notts NARPO |
NottsNarpo 
I first met John in 1963 when he was a probationer at Sutton and I was a cadet at Mansfield. He became a friend and mentor for many years and I have great memories of the time we spent together, particularly the time on Special Ops where he led a great team with distinction. Rest in peace John.
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An absolutely cracking boss who was always very sincere and showed a concerning attitude to others.As others have remarked he was an expert at remembering first names and treated everyone as equal,Will have fond memories of him and I know he will be sadly missed.RIP John
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Very sad to hear John Stapleford has passed away. A true gentleman and a great gaffer. He always seemed to be able to remember your first name and took the time to talk to people. So many good memories he gave friends and colleagues. I remember walking out of Central back door with Tug Wilson when we bumped into Stapes, he said hello to us both, looked up at Tug’s helmet and told him “Dennis your improperly dressed wearing that City Police badge” Tug was about 6’10” and well over 7’6″ with his old cork helmet on. Tug looked down at Stapes, smiled and said if you can reach it Sir you can have it. I think it was a long standing joke between them, Stapes just burst out laughing and went into the nick, we could still hear him laughing all along the corridor. RIP Sir. deepest sympathy and condolences to all his family.
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Such a lovely man, one in a million and a true, natural gentleman. As a boss he was second to none. Kind, caring and genuine.
A sad, sad loss. RIP Stapes x
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I new John throughout his service and we always got on very well. He was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and a real gentleman. A delightful colleague to work with. He will be greatly missed.
Bob Jackson
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John was a one off original thinker who inspired all those came within his ambit. I followed him at Bingham Sub Divsion and later at SOU and later still at Central Sub. His capacity for remembering family details of the staff both Police and civilian was phenomenal and for a mere mortal like me, was an extremely hard act to follow. Ideas sparked off him in showers and it was indeed a pity he did not progress further, as he often outshone his so called superiors, in both practice and theory. I never heard John swear or say a bad word against anyone and if there was redemption, he would find a way to bring it about, so the staff held him in the highest respect. I was sad to hear that John has suffered with dementia for several years and he certainly did not deserve such a cruel fate. May he rest in Peace and Heartfelt Condolences to John’s wife and family. Geoff Greenaway.
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First came across John playing for the Mansfield Town F.C. youth team against a Nottingham
Youth team at the age of 17. He was a strong competitor that day and those qualities were still
evident when we last met at the Alan Gash Memorial Service six years ago. So sad that
he was the subject of this long illness. Condolences to Rita and family. John Hopley
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A legend in the true sense of the word and an absolute pleasure and a privilege to have known him.
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A proper old school chap Gubbo. Always had time for you. Funny and smart. Have a lot to help so many people. Fondly remembered. RIP Stapes. Top man
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Quite simply, ‘What a man !!’
I first met John Stapleford at Mansfield in1966. He was a D/o and I was a Cadet. He took me to my first ‘break’. I did not see him for over four years after I went to Pannal. In this time he had attended the Special Course at Bramshill, achieved a Degree and been promoted to the rank of Inspector. I was stationed at Carlton and he came as our Shift Inspector. On his first morning I had occasion to go to the Inspectors’ Office where I found John with another Inspector who I had known as a Sergeant at Mansfield Woodhouse. As I entered the room he said “Now then, John, do you know this bloke ?” John immediately offered his hand and said “I do indeed, and how are you, David?” Just one example of his legendary memory for names.
Our paths crossed at various times in various places over the following years and I can say that he was, beyond all shadow of doubt, the best Boss I ever encountered throughout my Service. He had intelligence, knowledge, wit, humour and applied them all, along with his wonderful personality, in his management style.
He earned respect without needing his Rank. People would gladly respect and follow the man, not the Rank.
I could fill pages with anecdotes of John the copper, John the boss, but as far as I am concerned, he reached his peak with the help, support, advice and ‘listening ear’ he gave to me personally at the time of a devastating personal incident.
Thanks for everything, John. R.I.P. my friend.
My sincere condolences to Rita and the family.
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John Stapleford was one of the most respected officers it has been my privilege to serve with. Through Notts Police football, Divisional football, Force Support and Beeston Sub-Division I have experienced his leadership skills whilst retaining the common touch of remembering everyone’s first name.
With sincere condolences to the family. RIP SIR
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After my crash on the motorway John visited my home and offered comfort and support which was great to receive.
Now that John is with God I know his wisdom and advice will be greatly appreciated.
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I have to echo most of the comments already made a truly great man has left us. John was my boss on SOU and I have yet to meet a senior officer who comes close to him. Respect for him was immense, the team on SOU would do anything for him such was his charisma. It was an absolute privilege to serve with him and I have to say he was the only Chief Super that ever made me a cuppa…. Sincere condolences to the family. RIP John.
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John was a special person. I was privileged to work with him on several occasions.
He was both inspirational and challenging and he kept you on your toes in a very gentle manner. He had many qualities but I feel the outstanding feature of his management style was his concern for the welfare of others and his ability to find the time to speak out and help any members of staff experience difficulties.
He was an absolute gentleman who was totally selfless. My sincere condolences to Rita and his family.
David Twaite
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John Staplefords ( Stape’s ) was a man who spoke to you and not at you. He was Chief Supt twice at Central and was greatly liked.
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I met ‘Stapes’ very early on in my career and no doubt like virtually everyone else he had a huge impact on both myself as a person and as a cop! He was an amazing man and a first class gaffer. They must have broken the mold after they made John! My deepest sympathy to Richard and the rest of his family. RIP Stapes. 🙏
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Ditto all the wonderful comments. A very special human being, gifted with the character to make us all feel special and how generously he shared that quality. RIP Stapes. My sincerest condolences to your family and friends.
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First met John at Mansfield when he joined CID there in early 1960’s. An exceptional personality with all the attributes quoted earlier by those who crossed his path. Am privileged to have known and served with him. RIP John. Condolences to all the family. Tony Pickersgill
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A true Gentleman and top Gaffer. RIP Boss.
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Simply the best. A very caring and supportive colleague. Condolences to the family. RIP
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Like many other people, I remember and always cite John as one of the best police leaders I can remember. He was the City Ch.Supt when I was a very young PC and like other people could never believe how he could remember mine and other people names (thought he had a picture board in his office), but that ability was symbolic of his personal leadership approach. I also remember a demonstration in the City I attended where I was smiling and joking with another officer and he picked me up on that individually explaining how the demonstrators may perceive that – and that was in the less enlightened times of the early 1980s and that has always stayed with me. He also took time to personally come and see me when I was considering moving from his division, which he did not need to do, and I stayed. Just some example of the lasting personal and professional influence he had on people. My sincere condolences to John’s family.
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My first divisional commander and the best one I ever had. Thoroughly nice man who knew everyone by name and seemed to know a little bit about everyone who worked for him. Also had the pleasure of playing football with him at Cartlton forum where to a man he was referred to as sir, boss or My Stapleford.
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I never had the pleasure of working for Mr Stapes but spent many an hour in his company whilst he was the figurehead of Notts Police football. A true gentleman and role model who was absolutely respected by everyone.
Deepest condolences to friends and family .
RIP Mr Stapes.
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What an absolutely fantastic gentleman, a truly sad loss. A true leader and he set the standard for Notts Police football. It was a real privilege to have been in his company and getting his insight on a Saturday afternoon at end of the football.
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I consider myself to be so truly blessed to have known John for most of my life. And what an amazing influence and inspiration he has been throughout. I was a young 16-year-old cadet when I first met John playing for the SOU during the memorable ‘20/20’ season. John introduced me to first team football and was always there to offer support, advice and make phone calls where necessary to ensure that I and others could be released for games on a Saturday! Like so many others I was fortunate enough to work for John for many years. There really aren’t the words to do John Justice. He was, quite simply, the best. I remember John’s issue with being classed as a legend, as he explained at his retirement do – it could very easily become ‘LEG END’. My sincere condolences to your family John. God bless.
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Eileen Goodman
I came to know John through Rita, along with Roger (both of who were connected with swimming) my husband (now deceased) and a friendship developed and it is one that I have treasured for a good number of years. He will be missed by all those who knew him, God Bless John. Deepest sympathy to Rita and family..
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I was fortunate enough to Mr Stapleford through football where he played a massive part and no matter how much arguing was going off in the changing room as soon as ‘Stapes’ walked in the changing room, everyone stopped and listened. The respect shown was fitting of the man he was. He also took the time and effort to help me get in the Police long after he had retired. Thoughts with Richard and all his family and friends at this sad time.
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So sad to her of the passing of Stapes. He was my first gaffer when I was a young cadet in the early 80’s and had a posting to the then SOU. Played football with him for the department back then. He was then my divisional commander at Central for many years. I think everything about this gentleman has been covered. Once he had met you he would remember your name. He had the time and day for you and had a wicked dry sense of humour. A much respected boss by everyone who had the pleasure to work alongside him. A true gent. Thoughts to family and friends at this difficult time.
If Carlsberg make gaffers, Stapes would be the end result. RIP my friend
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One of life’s true gentlemen. He always took time out of his day to make yours better and would never forget a face. Legend is too small a word to describe him properly but it will have to do. A sad loss to us all. Rest in Peace
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As somebody who has not served as a police officer but was closely connected to Notts Constabulary I hope that you will not mind me trespassing on to your site. I was Chairman of the Nottinghamshire Police Authority between 1977 and 1980 and one of my first official visits was to Hucknall Police Station where I first met John Stapleford. He gave me a very candid and articulate personal view of policing which impressed me and he was to become a firm and congenial friend for the rest of his life. I have sometimes wondered whether his robust and individualistic views together with his reluctance to move from his beloved Nottinghamshire may have held him back from obtaining even higher office than he actually achieved
One thing is certain is that his sense of duty, passion for his job, common sense and empathy with all those he worked with made him a living legend and exemplar of professional policing for which he was honoured with the MBE
In everything he did throughout a long marriage he had the loving support of his wife, Rita, and his family.
I am privileged and proud to have known John over the last 45 years.
Brendan Haigh
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John was the best boss ever both when I was on B division & HQ (Vice). Saw him lots around Arnold after he retired and at functions sad to note his deterioration over the years. He will always be held in the highest respect by many of us. Condolences to family & friends.
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A true servant leader. A man who inspired me as a young PC and whose model of integrity in leadership, taught the best way by example, I have always and still do try to emulate.
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