Since the start of the year I have been chronicling my first twenty years as a police officer and now the final decade. I sat the promotion exams leading to my final posting in Tandridge and on April Fool's Day 2001 I was promoted to Sergeant working in custody at Epsom. It was a challenge after ten years in child protection and also not having worn a uniform for that length of time. In 2002 I moved to the Targeted Patrol Team, who provide a 24-hour response. I also became a negotiator, a challenging role assisting people in times of need. In 2002 I was lucky enough to be part of the police contingent to march before the Queen on her Golden Jubilee; what a day! I was a Community Safety Sergeant in Staines before being promoted to Inspector in 2005 and moving back to Reigate. The TPT response team I looked after covered Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead and Tandridge. Finally in 2007 I became Tandridge Neighbourhood Inspector.

It is difficult to express in words how I have felt writing this last column. Why? Because it means I am now in my last month of service as a Police Officer in Surrey. I would like to thank all the people I have worked with; the many police officers and staff, statutory and voluntary partners and last but not least the public. It has been an immense pleasure. I retire with so many memories happy, sad and demanding but I wouldn't change or alter one of them as without a doubt they have developed me as a person. Professionally thank you to Tandridge community for the support you have shown me. Thanks also to my neighbourhood team who have been great supporting and responding to what often were short notice operations to keep crime low and catch the baddies in Tandridge. I will miss you.

Personally, thank you to my son Dean for his love and support to his mum being a cop and to my partner again for love and support and I cannot wait until the day in May for our partnership. My best wishes to you all for the future.......goodbye.