A local police officer and community volunteer has described his appointment as Deputy Lieutenant of Co. Tyrone as a “fantastic honour”.

Chief Inspector Graham Dodds, who is head of Roads Policing with the PSNI, a Squadron Leader with RAF Cadets and also donated a kidney to young boy last year, was appointed on April 2 by Co. Tyrone Lord Lieutenant Robert Scott.

Each county across the United Kingdom has a Lord Lieutenant who is a Crown appointment, and they are empowered to appoint deputies to support them in their role.

“A Deputy Lieutenant is one of the Queen’s personal representatives to the county,” explained Graham.

“It is good, in that sense, and ultimately my line manager is the Lord Lieutenant, and his is The Queen, so it’s a rare appointment and it is a Crown appointment, and it is a real honour to have that.

“The sort of things the Lord Lieutenant and Deputies do is medal investitures, or welcoming members of the Royal Family, the President of Ireland, or distinguished diplomatic guests to the county, and they also do the very nice things like handing out local awards and attending local ceremonies.

“It’s a tremendous honour and I was absolutely delighted to be asked could my name go forward, and when the notification came that The Queen approved and the government approved, it was absolutely fantastic.”

Graham says appointments are made by taking into consideration the work of those chosen, both professionally and personally.

“The tradition is they will appoint people who have worked within the community both in terms of their professional service, in my case with the police, but also with their community service, such as with the Air Cadets and working with other groups.

“They select people that are known for a focus on their county, effectively, and the appointment has to go up through the government to The Queen, who has to approve or disapprove.

“So it is fantastic to have that seal of approval on the activities I have done professionally as a police officer, but personally in terms of community work, and I think it is a fantastic honour.”

Graham will be a Deputy Lieutenant until he is 75 years old, and he is looking forward to getting stuck in and playing his part.

“I have a good 30 years left in it, all being well. It is nice to have that long-term role and to be able to represent Co. Tyrone on behalf of The Queen, and be able to represent The Queen and the Royal Family in Tyrone.

“It is a great chance to get out and recognise the work communities do and that is one of the big central things the Lord Lieutenant and his Deputies do.

“It is not about them – it’s actually about recognising the work of the fantastic groups in the community in Fermanagh and Tyrone, and giving them that seal of Royal approval, so I look forward to carrying out as many duties as I can in support of the Lord Lieutenant.

“I would hope because of my age and circumstances it will allow me to be very active and that is certainly what I intend to be,” Graham said.

The appointment is the latest top honour for the big-hearted community figure, who was also awarded an MBE for his service to the community from Her Majesty in this year’s New Year Honours List.