HE earned the British Empire Medal for his work with the scouting movement.

And Peter Tempest, who has died at the age of 75, was also a hard-working West Yorkshire police officer for 25 years.

Mr Tempest, of Miry Lane, Netherthong, died in the White Rose Nursing Home in Holmfirth.

He was born and brought up in Bradford and after attending local schools, began work as a wool sorter in a local textile mill.

He was then called up for National Service and spent two years with the Black Watch, serving in Kenya.

It was there that his love of scouting was cemented and he even formed a troop among the local Masai tribesmen.

When he returned to the UK he decided to join the police and signed up for the West Riding force in 1965 – having been rejected by Bradford because he was too short!

His 25-year career saw him serve in many areas and departments of the force and he rose to be a sergeant.

He served with the Task Force and was involved with the long Yorkshire Ripper investigation and the Black Panther inquiry.

He also served at many small stations including Slaithwaite, Kirkburton and Holmfirth.

Community policing was one of his major projects and he was the first to set up a high school prevention panel in the country, at Holmfirth.

In the scouting world, he became a commissioner and was awarded the Silver Acorn for his long service with the Scouts.

He received the BEM in the Queen’s Honours in 1988.

Mr Tempest leaves a widow, Betty, three children – Glyn, Richard and Rachel – and five grandchildren – Paul, Gabrielle, Max, Natasha and Evie.

A funeral service takes place on Friday at 1.30pm at All Saints Church, Netherthong, followed by cremation at Huddersfield.