DCI Jack Meadows   played by Simon Rouse

First appearance    Re-Hab (24/03/92)    

A thoroughly seasoned police officer, being ex-Murder Squad, Jack Meadows has seen most of the gruesome sights a copper can see. He can be brusque and doesn't suffer fools gladly, but is not slow in showing praise when it's due. Meadows arrived at Sun Hill having been demoted from Detective Superintendent for lack of supervision, although many believed his demotion was the result of a corruption case. He worked on a number of cases in conjunction with detectives at the station before being brought in to run the show over the head of an initially resentful DI Frank Burnside.

Meadows is tough and keeps a close eye on his CID colleagues without unnecessary interference. He is very astute at seeing through people, villains and colleagues alike. Jack is aware that he's nearing retirement age but has no desire to leave the service. Deep down he is terrified of life without the police. Being DCI Meadows is so integral to his character that he's not sure how he'd cope with being just Jack. Meadows has gone on to survive a number of crises whilst at Sun Hill. He faced corruption charges several years ago and after the Beech fiasco he was left in no doubt by Chandler that he was in danger of losing his job. However, Chandler had underestimated the enemy and Meadows hung around to haunt - and ultimately destroy - him.

Jack's Achilles heal is his weakness for younger women. He was happily married for 28 years to school-teacher Laura, but when their children left home the cracks in the marriage began to show. She resented his overriding commitment to the job and came to the realisation that he was no longer in love with her. During a period of separation, Jack became involved with a high-class escort and also a DS at the station.

Following a recent health-scare, Jack has begun to re-evaluate his priorities in life and his position at the station.