POLICEMAN David Parker is retiring after helping to keep the streets of South Bucks safe for 30 years.

POLICEMAN David Parker is retiring after helping to keep the streets of South Bucks safe for 30 years.

PC Parker, who grew up in Holtspur, wanted to join the police since he was nine. His first patrol, in October 1970, was in Gerrards Cross.

Helping the public has been the part of the job he has enjoyed most.

He said: 'I want to say goodbye to all those people I have had contact with, most of whom I became friends with, but have lost contact due to my career moving on.'

One of his saddest memories is the first fatal traffic accident he had to deal with, the death of his friend Ray Payne.

Ray was walking along Amersham Road in darkness after missing his last bus home when he was hit by a van.

Mr Payne was killed instantly.

PC Parker, who now lives in in Wokingham and serves in the Bracknell area, attended the accident and had to inform the family.

He said: 'When I had to knock on his mum's door at 3am in the morning to break the news, I felt that, of all the police officers, it could only have been me to speak to his mum.'

The retiring PC stayed at Gerrards Cross for five years before joining the traffic department as a motorcyclist. He moved to various stations and departments in the area which included a move to the Static Protection Group in Windsor, who look after the Royal Family.

During his 30 years of policing he also found time to drive to Romania to offer humanitarian aid and assist the charity Child Care Romania, which occupied most of his days off duty.

PC Parker, now 50, who has received the Chief Constable's commendation, said: 'I can honestly say I have every day looked forward to going into work. I can now take a long holiday to make up for those I missed for the Romanian children.'