Hector Goodfellow Clark (4 April 1934 – 5 April 2021) was an English police detective noted for his pioneering use of computerised police records in the 1980s. Clark's implementation of the new technology led to the conviction of serial child killer Robert Black.

Clark was born in Felton, Northumberland, to George Clark and Katherine Robson, and was a talented footballer. He underwent his National Service with the Royal Air Force and in 1955 joined the Northumberland County Constabulary. In the 1987 New Year Honours, he was awarded the Queen's Police Medal while serving as Deputy Chief Constable, Lothian and Borders Police. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1994 Birthday Honours.

Hector Clark

In 1957, he married nurse Anne Staveley, with whom he had a son, Andrew. He retired in 1994 on his 60th birthday. He died in Whitley Bay, the day after his 87th birthday.

Hector Clark

References

1934 births

2021 deaths

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

English recipients of the Queen's Police Medal

People from Northumberland

Lothian and Borders Police officers

Hector Clark