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Suffolk police officer Carl Brandwood says farewell to the force after 21 years of service
By Sam Walker
sam.walker@iliffepublishing.co.uk
A police officer, known for his 'dulcet tones' over the work radio, has handed in his warrant card after 21 years of service.
Pc Carl Brandwood, who said a lot of the job was about finding 'common ground' with people, spent time working for the Haverhill Rural Team, the Firearms Unit based out of Bury St Edmunds, and at Mildenhall Police Station with the Neighbourhood Response Team.
The 53-year-old received three merit awards and a Chief Constable's Commendation for bravery during his time with Suffolk Police.
Pc Brandwood said whilst maintaining professionalism, it was important to occasionally keep things light-hearted	Picture by Carl Brandwood
The commendation came after an incident in 2010 in Thurlow in which Pc Brandwood had to stop a man brandishing a gun by grabbing it off him.
In a separate incident four years prior, he had found himself dangling off a branch hanging over the River Stour trying to grab hold of a man who had fallen out of his canoe, later performing CPR on him.
Despite the recognition, Pc Brandwood insisted he was always just doing his job and considered himself a modest character.
Pc Brandwood back in Spring 2010	Picture by Suffolk Police
"It's only when talking through things that you think, blimey, I did do that," he said.
"My wife, she'll sometimes have to drag out of me what's happened at work."
Pc Brandwood said it was the variety of work he had enjoyed throughout the years, and having to shift between the different roles required.
"The bit of the job I have enjoyed the whole way through is that it is not the same every day," he said.
Pc Brandwood said the job meant being a negotiator, enforcer and mediator	Picture by Carl Brandwood
"You are a negotiator, a mediator, an enforcer."
Pc Brandwood takes an interest in a variety of activities outside of work, including mountaineering and water polo, something he said had helped him in his role as a police officer.
"Those activities have kept me balanced," he said.
Pc Brandwood is a keen mountaineer and water polo player among other things	Picture by Carl Brandwood
"I can find common ground with nearly every person I come across."
He added there could have been some 'uncomfortable' times throughout his career when not being able to hold a conversation with someone would have left him in a tight spot.
Next, Pc Brandwood said he was going to be working on a local army training area which, with countryside nearby, would help him follow another of his interests, wildlife.
It was taking an interest in lots of of different things, he said which had helped him so much during his 21 years with the force.
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