Bobby Joe no longer on the beat after three decades
A long-serving officer who spent almost three decades keeping the streets of Sunderland safe has walked the beat for the final time.
Pc Joe Lamb joined Northumbria Police in 1990 as a 26-year-old rookie after spending a brief spell in the electronics and leisure industries.
But ever since his childhood, growing upon Wear side, he dreamed of pulling on the police uniform and helping to tackle crime in the neighbourhood where he lived.
Fast forward 30 years, and after working his final shift at Southwick, Pc Lamb leaves the policing world with endless memories and some life-long friends.
He said: “It’s one of those jobs where you have to find your feet very quickly. It’s not everybody’s cup of tea and I suppose you are exposed to a darker side of humanity in some ways.”
He added: “But it’s a job that offers so much variety.
“When you get in the car and set off into work each morning, you never know what’s going to happen.”
Pc Lamb’s career has been an extraordinary one, having worked on the same response shift, initially at the old Gilbridge police station and then Southwick for his entire policing service.
During that time, he has been tasked with dealing with a wide range of incidents – from serious assaults to domestic violence call-outs.
As for the future, Pc Lamb is looking forward to spending a bit of time pursuing his two main passions; cycling and photography.
“I hope to spend a few days on my bike, packing the camera in my saddle bag and heading up into the hills,” he said.