GUEST OVERVIEW: John Padbury joined the British South Africa Police in 1969, aged 17, amidst the Rhodesian Civil War. He progressed from uniformed duties to detective work, eventually becoming a field-intelligence officer with the Special Branch, attaining the rank of detective inspector. Padbury operated across various units, including the BSAP Support Unit, SAS, and RLI. He commanded successful irregular warfare strategies, earning the Commissioner’s Silver Baton in 1978. Recognizing the importance of community involvement, he led a pioneering Special Branch operation that could have shifted the course of the conflict, outlining 12 crucial phases for effective counter-insurgency efforts. https://www.battleforhurungwe.com/about