FOR 30 years Steve Rodgers pounded the pavement as a police officer in and around York.

Now this bobby has left his beat behind and is enjoying the new challenge of retirement.

PC Rodgers, 53, joined the force in York and spent time in the city centre, as well as in the Yorkshire Dales, gaining experience.

But for the past 19 years he has been in charge of the Woodthorpe beat, which also covers Acomb and Foxwood, as a community constable.

PC Rodgers said: "People do tend to move around and do different things in the job but I've enjoyed being a community officer - and I've stayed there.

"I enjoyed working my own area, getting to know the same people, I suppose.

"It's normal policing as a community officer. The lads in cars respond to everyday incidents but they don't get the chance to follow things up.

"I then keep track of what's happening in my patch and make sure things get followed up properly."

PC Rodgers has become a well-known face over the last three decades. And as he also lives in Woodthorpe, he is still in regular contact with residents of his beat.

He said he will miss the job but is looking forward to a new challenge.

He said: "I don't class myself as retired, I will probably seek further employment, but not a career. I've got three rules - no shifts, no stress and no confrontation.

"The job, being a policeman, is not the same as it was. Everything changes. But I can remember older officers leaving and I'm saying similar things now that they did then.

"The days of the patrolling policeman are long gone. We just don't have time to do it any more. Modern policing is different.

"But I've managed to spend 30 years on the street. Not many do that, and I've done the same job for 19 years.

"I've experienced a lot of life. You see a lot in this job, not everything is pleasant, but you have to deal with it."

PC Rodgers is hoping to spend more time with his wife and son, who was born just before he joined the force 30 years ago.

Updated: 14:34 Thursday, January 03, 2002