A DETECTIVE in Somerset has been praised by the force for his 50-year-long career following his retirement.

Pat Maddocks first had a stint as a police cadet before joining the regulars in 1972, just two years before Somerset and Bath Constabulary merged with others to form what we now know as Avon and Somerset Police.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “As Avon and Somerset Police celebrates its 50th anniversary, we also mark the end of a distinguished career for Pat Maddocks, who has retired after an extraordinary five decades of dedicated service.”

It added: “He spent the early years of his career in various department plans including traffic (now roads policing), before training to become a detective.

“Over the course of his police career, during which time policing was transformed by the introduction of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, he worked on numerous serious and complex investigations.”

Mr Maddocks said: “When I joined, in 1968 up to the early 70s, the police force was like Heartbeat. That’s the way it was.

“When I joined a murder investigation, the paperwork you could fit in a lever arch file. The complexity today to secure a conviction is enormous.”

“I’ve always loved police work and will certainly miss it. It’s been my life.”

A police spokesperson added: “All the best for a long and happy retirement Pat – thank you for your service.”