A SPECIAL sergeant from Thornbury has been named the best in Avon and Somerset and was also shortlisted for the regional award.

Originally from East Devon, special constable Roland “Roly” Lock, 62, has volunteered in the role within the Thornbury beat team for the past five years, having retired from a long service as a submarine officer with the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence – having signed up at the age of 15.

He was promoted from a special constable to special sergeant in January 2013.

In his nomination citation it stated that that while “it would be easy to nominate him purely on the hours he has committed,” having worked 1,261 hours in the past year, vastly surpassing the requirement of 192 hours, “it is his drive, extensive knowledge and professionalism that stand out” describing him as “always punctual, always well turned out, always available, visible and engaging”.

Despite not winning the regional award, Roly attended the ceremony hosted by Dorset Constabulary on Sunday, October 9 as the representative of Avon and Somerset.

“It was a lovely surprise - and it genuinely was a surprise - to find out I had been nominated for the award, and I am truly honoured,” said Roly.

“I just do the job because I love what we do in beat policing, interacting with other people. As long as I can keep passing the annual fitness test, I will keeping doing it.

“I think Thornbury is an exceptional area, a lovely town which is well run and full of community spirit.

“When I came here five years ago, it was almost like coming home.”

Thornbury beat manager PC Sean White praised Roly for the time and hard work he puts into the team, saying that he is “a true hard worker who wants to help and learn.”

He said: “Roly puts 100 per cent into getting to know people and has a certain charm with the way he approaches people of all ages.

“I don’t think there are many people like Roly in life, and the whole community on my beat know him and appreciate all that he gives to us.”