After 10 years as a Community Support Officer (CSO) in Usk, Phillip Barclay is getting set to retire from the force.
After becoming a CSO in 2004, Mr Barclay will retire at the end of December, aged 65.
"The best thing about being a CSO is meeting new people every day and being able to give reassurance to the public.
"I like to see people and talk to them, and I have a lot more freedom with my time than a regular police officer."
Mr Barclay joined the force a decade ago following a varied working life including time in the air force, lorry driving, and time at Devon and Cornwall Police.
In 2007 Mr Barclay formed a partnership with what was the Forestry Commission. He became one of only two CSOs protecting 280sq miles of woodland between St Arvans, Wentwood, Llanover, the Llantony valley and Monmouth, patrolling the woodland and guarding against crimes such as fly tipping, off road biking and illegal tree felling.
He could often be seen patrolling the forestry with his faithful labrador, Benji.
The CSO was commended in 2007 for saving the lives of three young children in Usk. He was one of two officers who responded to distress calls in the River Usk and swam in to rescue the boys.
Despite an unmissable Scottish accent from his time growing up in Edinburgh, Mr Barclay was born in Cross Ash and now lives in Abergavenny. He plans to spend the first year of his retirement touring the UK in a caravan with his wife, Susan.
"I'd like to thank everyone for their help over the years.
"I'm not moving anywhere and I will still be walking around town so I don't want people to be afraid to talk to me at any time."
A Unison representative of four years, Mr Barclay spoke of the recent announcement that Usk Police Station would remain open, "It's great. We all fought behind the scenes for it, especially PC Mike Thomas.
"The station is at the centre of the town and provides a lot of comfort for residents. The door is always open and we are on first name terms with many people in the town, this isn't something we want to lose."