A FORMER police superintendent at Farnham who became South Yorkshire’s chief constable and was later made a CBE, Robert ‘Bob’ Cozens has died aged 90.

Described by friends as being in “perfect health”, Mr Cozens died unexpectedly in his sleep at home on January 28.

Mr Cozens was a chief superintendent based at Farnham police station before holding more senior appointments in other parts of the country and abroad, and was awarded a CBE for his services to the police in 1989.

Born in Croydon, he was evacuated during the war to the Guildford area and his family decided to stay. He began his career as a constable on the beat in Guildford and after rapid promotion became chief superintendent at Farnham in 1972.

He became an assistant director on the staff of the National Police College at Bramshill before being appointed assistant chief constable in South Yorkshire.

He later rose to the rank of chief constable at subsequent postings elsewhere, including with the Home Office.

In 1978 Mr Cozens was appointed deputy chief constable of Lincolnshire and then chief constable of West Murcia.

Two years later he was seconded to work with the Federal Police in Mexico. He was seconded again in 1985 to the Home Office as senior police adviser science and technology group.

He eventually retired in 1988 and settled in Hindhead with his wife, Jean, with whom he had two children.

Mr Cozens was an active member of the Farnham Weyside Rotary Club, serving on many of its committees and as president in 1993. He was also a committed member of Hindhead Tennis Club and a governor of Beacon Hill Primary School.

Bob Lampard, a former police colleague at Farnham and fellow member of the Farnham Weyside Rotary Club, said: “Bob was an inspiration to us all. He celebrated his 90th birthday last November but was still very active and involved with Rotary and his other voluntary work.

“He had only recently given up working as a volunteer at Guildford Crown Court looking after victims and witnesses, something he had done for over 20 years. His good humour and compassion made him perfect for this role.

“Bob was very young at heart and took a particular interest in any projects involving young people in Rotary and beyond.

“He was such a caring person and he and Jean were the people you would go to for advice and guidance, something we all benefited from. He will be a huge loss to our club and to many others whose lives he touched.

“I don’t exaggerate when I admit that he was one of my heroes. Jean and all of Bob’s family are very much in our thoughts at this time.”

The Surrey Police Retired Comrades Association, of which Mr Cozens was a member, also paid tribute to the former Farnham police chief , commenting that his passing “will make the world a poorer place”.

Mr Cozens’ funeral will take place at 10.30am on Thursday, February 22, at Guildford Crematorium. His family have requested mourners refrain from bringing flowers, “just happy memories”.