Britain's longest-serving police officer today hung up his truncheon after 47 years on the beat.
PC Robert Brown, 64, who joined the Met the day after his 19th birthday in 1968, was given a ceremonial guard of honour as he arrived at Croydon police station in a vintage Morris Minor patrol car for a final tour of duty.
In a career spanning six decades, he has witnessed the transformation of the force from the days when officers were armed only with a wooden truncheon and a whistle, and had to ring in every two hours from Tardis-style police boxes.
In 1973, PC Brown was one of the first officers on the scene when Venezuelan terrorist ‘Carlos the Jackal’ shot the then Marks and Spencer boss, Joseph Sieff in St John’s Wood.
In 1981, he faced bricks, bottles and burning buildings during the Brixton riots, spending almost 72 hours on duty.
His darkest came in 1994 when a colleague was stabbed to death in a post office raid in New Addington. PC Brown desperated fought to give Sergeant Derek Robertson first aid.
Over the years PC Brown served at stations in Brent, Norbury, Addington and Sutton, before joining Croydon borough in the late nineties, where he remained until today.
Croydon Borough Commander, chief superintendent Andy Tarrant said: “Bob Brown has dedicated 47 years to public service and deserves all the recognition that goes with being the country’s longest serving police officer.”
