Martyn Underhill has had and continues to have many strands of activity in his life, but he is most proud that the one for which he has received an MBE is in recognition of his work to tackle mental health.

Martyn, who was Dorset’s first Police and Crime Commissioner, and who served two terms from 2012-2021, is now a part-time senior lecturer in psychology at Bournemouth University – amongst many other things.

During his time as PCC Martyn led nationally on mental health initiatives for Police and Crime Commissioners, while also working with Theresa May MP in her role as Home Secretary to reduce the numbers of people taken to police stations who hadn’t broken the law but were in mental health crisis. The numbers went from 9,000 per year to less than 200 per year due to the initiative.

Martyn worked with Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and partners to improve services for those with mental health needs, including an Acute Mental Health Pathway Review. This sought to support police and front line services in providing access to mental health care, reducing the burden on police services. Martyn said of the initiative, “We saw dramatic improvements in treatment for mental health in our county, and I am proud to have played my part in that.

“I am so passionate about mental health provision, both in Dorset and across the country, and it has been an honour to have played a small role in working to improve these services for all.”

Martyn has experienced his own mental health crisis – but more of that later.

Martyn, who retired as detective chief inspector in Sussex Police in 2009 after 30 years of service, was involved with many high profile cases in his career including the disappearance of Sarah Payne.

He is passionate about remembering the courage of officers killed on duty. He was not only working on the day that Yvonne Fletcher was shot, but when his partner Geoff Cooper was injured in the line of duty.

Martyn was at the opening of the UK Police Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in July last year, a ceremony which was attended by Prince Charles and Boris Johnson.

The National Memorial Arboretum honours the 5,000 police officers and staff who have died on duty.

Martyn stood as an independent in the first ever elections for the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner.

“It was a blank canvas as I had no idea what could be achieved. I stood as an independent as I felt policing shouldn’t be subject to party political pressure,” he said.

The two terms weren’t all plain sailing, as not only did he have to serve an additional year as there sere no elections in 2020 because of the pandemic, but his wife Debs collapsed in Wimborne Square with a brain haemorrhage at the start of his second term in office. However, with only 40 per cent of her sight she has since found a new career as a visually impaired artist.

He said he was very proud of his time as PCC, in which he was based at Winfrith.

“The hours were long and I did between 1,000 and 1,500 miles a month, so it was hugely challenging. I worked with MPs, leaders of the two unitary authorities, the police and fire and health services to keep people safe, chairing weekly meetings.”

He said the first lockdown was a real challenge with a turbulent summer at coastal resorts such as Durdle Door but by 2021 everything was in place and the county didn’t experience the same problems.

“I learned a lot, and although it was very testing and demanding, it was hugely rewarding.”

In addition to lecturing at Bournemouth University, he also runs a business consultancy and is vice chairman of the Wimborne Minster Folk Festival committee.

He is also on Pamphill and Shapwick Parish Council and is vice chairman of the governors of Pamphill First School. For 10 years he has been involved with West Howe Community Enterprise at the Henry Brown Centre. A member of the congregation of St Clement’s Church in Parkstone, he is also a lay canon for the diocese of Salisbury.

In 2007, having experienced seven major life events, he had a complete breakdown, which lasted for six months during which he spent a month just looking at a wall.

“It made me realise that we must raise awareness of mental health and it’s OK not to be OK,” he said.

In 2013, he became a national lead for mental health and is keen to promote Dorset HealthCare’s 24-hour crisis line for people struggling to cope.

Retirement certainly isn’t on Martyn’s agenda, and he admitted that he ‘can’t sit still’.

He is the sort of person for whom when one door closes, he pushes open several more.