After a successful diplomatic career spanning more than four decades, Lorne Green (BA’66, MA’68) has come out of retirement to put his skills to use in a new position.

The retired Canadian diplomat and former head of a nuclear safety organization has been elected police and crime commissioner for the county of Norfolk, England.

“I love this job, I really love it,” said Green in an interview with The Globe and Mail, citing the variety of calls he receives regularly as part of the allure of the position.

Accountable policing

Green is one of 40 police crime commissioners (PCCs) across England and Wales, created by the British Government in 2011 as part of an effort to improve accountability in their police force. Police crime commissioners are elected every four years, each serving an English or Welsh county.

The police force that Green manages serves two cities and numerous villages, military bases and farms. Green also collaborates with a special police force to protect the Royal family when they visit their nearby properties – the Queen’s Sandringham Estate and home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate.

Transitioning from diplomacy to politics

After graduating from Dalhousie, Green launched his career in the foreign service with an initial posting in Pakistan. His 43-year career later led him to roles in Iran, Yugoslavia and London, England. At one point, Green focused on nuclear-arms issues while working at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Green’s career as a diplomat necessitated that his opinions remain private, as he served politicians and civil servants. Now an elected official himself, Green is adjusting to serving the public.

In order to best understand the priority issues for the population he serves, Green has held a number of public consultation sessions and met with police officials throughout the county.

Taking action in his new role

Since his election last May, Green has been busy serving Norfolk’s population of 860,000. He oversees the investigation of local crime issues ranging from stolen tractors to domestic violence and drug trafficking.

Green is already addressing crime in Norfolk. He has launched a safe driving program in the county and is investigating the use of dogs in a local prison while working on a four-year plan for policing and crime.

It is clear that Green plans to make the most of his journey out of retirement, and the expertise developed over his successful career as a diplomat will surely be an asset to his efforts in Norfolk.

Read more in “Retired Canadian diplomat becomes police commissioner in England” on theglobeandmail.com.