PC Claire Bond to Retire After 23 Years Following Life-Changing Injuries

PC Claire Bond, a police officer who sustained life-changing injuries in 2018 while protecting the public, has made the decision to retire after 23 years of service. During the incident in Stafford, PC Bond’s leg and kneecap were broken when she was crushed by a drug dealer’s car. Despite her injuries, she managed to punch the assailant in the face, preventing him from driving into participants of the town’s 10k race. After 19 months, she rejoined Staffordshire Police, but stated: “I put so much energy into that, I’m a little worn out.” Ms Bond expressed her intention to establish a charity supporting injured police officers and their families following her retirement on Thursday. PC Bond remarked: “I always saw myself as doing 30 years, that I would retire just before my 60th birthday.” However, she recalled advice from former Chief Constable Jane Sawyers, who advised her: “You don’t have to have been in 30 years to be a good police officer, you just try your best.” This reflection led her to conclude she had “given a good 23 years to the police force”. She now believes: “It’s time, perhaps, to concentrate on my family, because they have been there supporting me the whole time.” Ms Bond affirmed that she was resolute in ensuring her police career would not conclude due to her injuries, and she diligently worked to return to the force as swiftly as possible. She stated: “I remember thinking if I no longer want to be a police officer for any reason, then that’s to be my decision and not someone else deciding that for me.” While she initially sought to make others proud, she now reflects: “I don’t know who I was trying to prove this to, because those around me were saying you don’t have to work this hard.” Considering upcoming medical procedures, including a knee replacement, she concluded: “I’ve come to the decision I’m not physically well enough to be a police officer.” Immediately after her retirement, she intends to travel to Gran Canaria for a holiday with friends. Subsequently, she aims to establish a charity named Wounded Blue Line, leveraging her personal experiences to facilitate a liaison among injured officers, their families, and the police. Updates from BBC Stoke & Staffordshire are available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. This content is copyrighted by BBC in 2024; all rights are reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Details on our external linking approach can be found.