'I've thoroughly enjoyed my time working for the Metropolitan Police' - inspector walks his final beat after more than 30 years of service (From Haringey Independent)

Inspector Maurice Hutchinson retires after more than 30 years of service

1:32pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

A police officer will be carrying out his final patrol today after more than 30 years on the beat.

Inspector Maurice Hutchinson has been working on the streets of Haringey, Hackney and Camden for the past 32 years.

Inspector Hutch, as he is affectionately known, has spent the majority of his career in response team policing, attending emergency calls and has been involved in 26 Notting Hill Carnivals and the poll tax riots.

He said: "I love the job, that's why I stayed on for two years' extra.

"I've seen most of what the police deal with from very sad and traumatic incidents to arresting burglars caught in the act.

“In Stoke Newington, as a Sergeant in Manor Road I was patrolling with a new officer, still on probation, and spotted a burglar coming out of a side window very carefully with his back to us.

“We tiptoed up to him and he had a brand new phone in his hand. I asked 'Is this your house?', 'No', 'Is this your phone?', 'No'.

“I turned to the probationer and said, 'officer, I think you've got something to tell this man', and handed over the arrest so that he could gain that experience.”

Inspector Hutchinson joined the Metropolitan police in 1981 and was posted in Kentish Town where he spent 14 years.

After working in Hackney, where he spent 12 years, he finally moved to Haringey in 2008 where he managed response teams and Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

He said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time working for the Metropolitan Police and have many very happy memories."

Over the years Inspector Hutchinson says he has seen a lot of changes during his time in the force.

He said: “It’s a lot more professional now, whereas 32 years ago there were a lot of pranks on new officers; cars stuck in the mud on Hampstead Heath, officers wading into ponds for water samples.

“I was sent on a mission to collect water samples from all of the drinking troughs around Camden. The equivalent now would be a novice decorator being asked to go out and buy some striped paint."