Funeral in Carluke today of dedicated police officer

She had just had her 48th birthday this month.

Fiona was Carluke born and bred, and straight after school went into the police in July 1986.

She worked at Hamilton, initially in uniform then in the Female and Child Unit at Rutherglen from 1991 to 1994, She did her Aide to the CID in Carluke and was later appointed Detective Constable at Hamilton, and in 2004 she was promoted to Detective Sergeant at Lanark.

In June 2008, with 22 years’ service, Fiona was promoted to Detective Inspector to ‘N’ Division, stationed at Motherwell.

She was working within the female and child unit, and she said at the time that she was delighted to be back in that line of work, which she said was “very close to my heart”.

In November 2011, she was appointed the Head of the revamped Domestic Abuse Unit and later to the Public Protection Unit.

Fiona had 29 years police service and was due to retire next year.

In a tribute yesterday, Police Scotland said: “Fiona was a police officer first and foremost, her pride in her work was coupled with great warmth and caring, and a brilliant sense of humour - traits many people in her community will recognise.

“She had great presence not least because of her height but because of her outgoing personality and the way she treated people. Everyone, regardless of what they did or where they came from, was treated the same - with respect.

“She was highly respected by colleagues from police and all partner agencies due to her expertise, commitment and dedication.

“She went above and beyond the call of duty and was involved in the community outside of her work role.

“She will be remembered for her generosity, her professionalism and her care for the people in her community.”

Fiona lived at home in Carluke with her parents, Sal and David Brown.

“She was a career policewoman,” said her father, but he added that Fiona had never wanted to go any further than Detective Inspector.

“She was a hands-on police officer and she did not want to be stuck behind a desk,” he said.

Fiona’s interest in working with people led her to give talks to primary schoolchildren and that blossomed too, resulting in her taking primary seven youngsters to an outward bound centre near Oban in her own time.

“She used to take her holidays to coincide with those kids going up there, and she tookthem up and looked after them on the outward bound course.

“She was just a dedicated police officer,” said her father.

Fiona was diagnosed with cancer a year ago, but initially she seemed to have recovered. However, the cancer returned and she died in Wishaw General on Friday.

The funeral takes place today (August 27) at 10.30am at Kirkton Parish Church, Station Road, Carluke, followed by a burial at Wilton Cemetery.

Fiona was a very positive, helpful and popular officer who made friends easily, and scores of former colleagues and those whose lives she touched left comments on Facebook, where her death was announced by the Retired Police Officers Association.

They paid tribute to a woman who took a genuine interest in those she was helping and working with.

“Working with such a passionate, honest and genuine individual was a pleasure,” said one, while another called her: “The most dedicated and helpful person I ever had the pleasure of working with.”

“She was a well respected woman and always had a smile on her face and a spring in her step,” said another.

All spoke of their respect for a woman and an officer who cared deeply about those around her and the work she did.