Rod Mckinnon
Mr. McKinnon joined the West Mercia Constabulary in 1969 and after completing his initial police training he carried out normal police duties at Kidderminster between 1969 and 1972. In 1972 he transfered to the Traffic and Operations Department at West Mercia Headquarters in Hindlip. Between 1972 and 1980 he patrolled the M5/M50 Motorways and the roads in Hereford and Worcester. In April 1980 he transferred to the Shrewsbury Traffic Area, patrolling the roads in Shropshire and the M54 Motorway.
In 1981 he successfully completed a Standard Accident Investigation Course with the West Midlands Police and in 1982 he joined the Collision Investigation Unit at Shrewsbury. In December 1982 he successfully completed an Advanced Accident Investigation Course, also with the West Midlands Police. He remained with the Collision Investigation Unit at Shrewsbury for 21 years until his retirement in January 2003. During his 21 years with the CIU he personally investigated about 500 fatal injury road collisions and a countless number of serious injury collisions. He holds one Chief Constables commendation and several Divisional commendations for his investigations of road traffic collisions.
He holds full driving licences for Motorcycles, Motor Cars and all classes of Large Goods Vehicles and is qualified as a police advanced driver (Grade 1i) and a VIP Driver.
He is qualified to weigh and examine motor vehicles, use all types of 'hand held' and 'time and distance' speed detection devices, examine tyres (advanced level), calibrate and install tachographs including tachograph analysis, examine seat belts and motor cycle safety helmets and the use of 'Edcrash' software.
He has attended various courses concerning the examination of braking systems with Lucas Girling Plc and Automotive Products Plc (Lockheed/Borg and Deck) and in 1985 was awarded the Road Transport Industry Board Certificate in this subject and in 1993 he qualified as a member of he Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators.
