Mike Dashwood

DC Mike Dashwood, played by Jon Iles, was a regular character in The Bill from 1984 to 1992. Mike was a former Grammar school pupil, and thanks to his families wealth, he was able to net a private income alongside his Police salary. With his smart suits, nice cars including a BMW and later a Toyota Celica, and his smooth personality, he presented a contrast to the other detectives in CID, particularly DS Roach, DI Burnside and DC Tosh Lines.Mike Dashwood's eight year stint in Suhill CID marked a stable period for the department, during this period only 3 CID officers actually left. His first DI Roy Galloway left in 1988, and some years later, DCI Gordon Wraytransferred from the station, as did his replacement DCI Kim Reid.

Mike was taken hostage twice. Once by a madman called Bailey, who held Dashwood responsible for placing him in prison. Bailey made Dashwood stand on the roof, and wave to the officers down below. A shot was then heard, although it turned out that Bailey had turned the gun on himself. Shortly before he left, Dashwood was again taken hostage, this time by two young people who were robbing a magistrate, when Dashwood walked in on them. After he persuaded them to give the gun up, he revealed to the surprise of DS Roach, that he would speak up for them in court.

Mike got on well with all his team. He was probably most like DS Alistair Greig in terms of personality. He also enjoyed working with the maverick DI Frank Burnside.

Although intelligent, Dashwood seemed happy to stay at the rank of DC, it was not until 1992 that he finally decided to move on, transferring to the Art and Antiques Department in Scotland Yard. He subsequently returned later that year for a two part Christmas special. His last appearance was in 1996.