It’s goodbye blue uniform for sergeant

As for scary moments, the biggest shock he had was not in the line of duty but at a conference.

‘‘When I was a crime prevention officer there was a meeting at the Plaza International Hotel and I was to address the Booksellers Association. I thought there would be about 50 people, but there was 300,’’ he said.

It was 1990 when he decided it was time for a change and moved to Cambridge.

When he arrived, problems with youth accounted for about 60 per cent of crime in the area, so pro-active youth programmes began, including Cambridge Life Skills which provides free counselling services for children ‘‘at risk’’.

Now, youth crime is down to about 15 per cent.

During his time in Cambridge, Grantham helped set up Cambridge Victim Support Group, Cambridge Life Skills Institute, Safer Community Council, and has been working in recent times with a number of community groups to address the family harm incidents in the area.

In 1993, he was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for his work in Crime Prevention and Community Policing.

‘‘I’d like to extend my gratitude to the Cambridge community for all of their tremendous support over the past 27 years,’’ he said.

‘‘Cambridge is unique in that it has incredible service clubs and social services supporting the community and local police.’’

Although he will miss the buzz of being in the police force, he believes it is time to step down.

‘‘Sometimes when you’re off duty you are asked to do things, and I have never minded doing it but it is time for a break. I want to spend more time with my family,’’ he said. And what will he do with all his spare time?

‘‘I’d like to do more fishing, and I will probably join the golf club,’’ he said. He still planned to be involved in community groups around Cambridge.