John Henry Orr

Who was John Henry Orr?

Sir John Henry Orr OBE QPM, was a Scottish police officer and was the first Chief Constable of the Lothian and Borders Police. He was also a former rugby union player.

Born in 1918, John Orr was educated at George Heriot's School in Edinburgh and then became a clerk with the then Edinburgh City Police. After becoming a full police constable, he rose through the ranks and became Chief Constable of the former Lothian and Peebles Police. Following a merger of three police forces on 16 May 1975, John Orr became the first Chief Constable of the newly created Lothian and Borders Police.

He was a keen sportsman and twice played rugby for the national Scottish Rugby Union team, going on to later serve as president of the SRU from 1975-1976.

He was awarded an OBE in 1972, the Queen's Police Medal in 1977, and was made a Knight Bachelor in 1979.