Police Community Support Officer celebrates his retirement after 30 years of service to the people of Ealing

Arthur Gray, is set to retire on 31 March at the age of 72, and was handed an award for his long service and dedication by Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, at a ceremony on 13 March.

Arthur first started as a Special Constable, a voluntary police officer, in 1993, before moving to the role of a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), based out of Ealing police station in 2009. In this time, he has patrolled the streets of Northolt, Greenford and Harrow and was recognised for keeping the community safe.

While working as a PCSO, Arthur was nominated for a British Citizen Award by the parallel safer neighbourhood team and also recognised by the Commissioner for his great effort in delivering high standards in the Met, which he is most proud of.

Working alongside a great team of officers who put the community at the heart of their day-to-day policing is what Arthur will miss the most. He recommends the role of a PCSO to anyone who can connect with residents by listening and addressing their concerns and gaining the trust of the community by being invested and present.

Arthur Gray said:

“Working for the Met as a community support officer is an unforgettable experience.

“There have been many interesting cases I’ve worked on in that time, from tackling a shop lifter, all the way up to murder, however the biggest joy has been working with residents.

“The clue is in the job title. It has been a privilege to support the local community and build up long-lasting relationships. That can be through creating a local newsletter for 2,000 people or taking time and talking to people on the street. By investing time in residents, you build trust, and it has made this role a joy to have.”

Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe said:

“It was a delight to meet with Arthur and present him with his award. His service is a testament to his dedication and passion for the role. I wish him a long and happy retirement where he can finally hang up his boots.

“Our Police Community Support Officer’s play a vital part in keeping Londoners safe. Officers like Arthur are invaluable to us, and are an essential tool in reducing crime and building trust.”

Police Community Support Officers support Londoners in the heart of their communities. They help to tackle the things that matter most to locals, working in either our Safer Neighbourhood or Transport teams. Both roles involve interacting with the public, gathering intelligence, and playing a key role in keeping London safe.

PCSOs are at the heart of the Met’s plan to build even stronger relationships with communities. There’s no better time to join and make a difference every day to the lives of those who call London home. See www.met.police.uk/careers for more information.