A POLICE officer who started his career on the beat in Tenby retires on December 31 after over 30 years service with the Dyfed Powys Police. Gareth Evans joined the police service in 1975 and spent his formative years in Tenby as a beat officer under the leadership of the late Rene Soar. He was later appointed as Pembrokeshire's only drug squad officer, a post he held for many years. Subsequent postings saw Gareth being a member of the CID at Haverfordwest, Pembroke Dock, Tenby and police headquarters, Carmarthen. He was a Detective Officer for 26 years of his 30 years service. For the past two years, Gareth has headed a specialist all-Wales unit based within South Wales in the role of Detective Chief Inspector. At a recent meeting in Cardiff, he received a warm vote of thanks from Chief Constable Barbara Wilding, of South Wales Police, for his efforts in managing and developing this unit and its role within Wales and also from the national co- ordinator for his efforts in brokering change within specific areas of policing in Wales. Commenting on his career, Gareth stated that he had enjoyed every moment and regards his time in Tenby as a beat constable as some of the most enjoyable years. "In those days, police officers lived within the community they served; I certainly seemed to know everyone in town. It was common to have three police constables walking the beat at any one time: one inside the town walls, one outside and perhaps one walking Marsh Road; I even recall some duties on Caldey Island. You would only be allowed to return to the station for a meal break, unless there was an emergency - but we did have plenty of tea stops on every beat. Tenby Police Station was also staffed by a station officer for 24 hours of the day. "I've met many interesting people on both sides of the law, there have been humorous times and of course given the nature of policing, some distressing times. Time, however, has moved on and it's fair to say that today's police officer has a far greater burden of paperwork and administration than those early days in Tenby. "As in other vocations, time and effort are now continually performance measured and in my view not always to the benefit of getting things done, thus the demands on police time is far greater. "Would I recommend it as a career? Absolutely, today's police service holds far more opportunities than in 1975. There are so many different ways to serve your community within the profession." Gareth takes a short break, before commencing a new role within DVLA Swansea in the new year.