A former top Nottinghamshire police officer who went on to lead a national organisation protecting labourers and fighting modern slavery has died aged 54.
Paul Broadbent was chief executive of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, which has its head office in Nottingham.
His death was announced by the organisation on Friday morning (December 29).
The authority described his loss as a “shattering tragedy”.
Mr Broadbent had been an Assistant Chief Constable with Nottinghamshire Police from 2010 until he retired from the force in 2012.
He then joined the authority, which was then called the Gangmasters Licensing Authority. The group regulates businesses who supply workers and labourers to the food and farming industry and campaigns against modern slavery.
In a statement the organisation said: “It is with profound shock and deep sorrow that the GLAA announces the sudden death of our Chief Executive Paul Broadbent.
“Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with his family and friends who have asked for privacy at this distressing time.
“Paul, 54, had devoted more than 30 years of his life to public service in a career that began as a young police officer on the beat in Cumbria and which saw him rise through the ranks to Assistant Chief Constable with Nottinghamshire Police.
“But it’s for his time after policing that he will be rightly remembered. His legacy is the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.
“Paul was a champion for the vulnerable and exploited, he recognised the real need for an organisation like the GLAA and it’s because of his vision, determination and a liberal sprinkling of the charming Yorkshireman that he was, that people of influence listened to him.
“He was a warm, funny, generous man, who cared deeply for GLAA colleagues and was hugely passionate about tackling the scourge of modern slavery and labour exploitation. His death is a shattering tragedy for those of us who knew him and the world is a far poorer place without Paul Broadbent.
“Today, the GLAA family has lost its figurehead, its leader. We will grieve for Paul and his family and then set about honouring his legacy.”
