A boss of the Wethersfield-based Ministry of Defence Police went on armed patrol with the police constable who challenged him to "see how we do the job."

Deputy Chief Constable Tony Comben answered the challenge from PC David Retallack, who later became a DCC for the day.

Mr Comben, a former beat bobby before he joined the Ministry of Defence, was on foot again for the first time in nearly 40 years.

The police boss, who lives in mid-Essex, said: "A couple of years ago, I spoke to a recruits' course while they were undergoing basic training.

"The chemistry seemed to work between us and I decided to keep an eye on them and watch their progress."

When the DCC addressed the probationers at Wethersfield after they had been in the job for 18 months, PC Retallack issued the challenge: "Come and see how we do the job -- but don't just watch, do it for yourself."

Mr Comben agreed to the challenge. He had no preconceptions about the role and remembers his days as a youngster on the beat: "Once I left the police station, I was very much on my own," he said. "I had no radio and we were forbidden to meet each other on the beat and idle and gossip.

"I think it made us all very self-sufficient, but police work today is more of a team game."

On a cold, wet day the DCC joined PC Retallack and PC Sean Bennett on armed guard and patrolling.

"I am impressed," he said. "It is a pleasure watching people do a really good job. They are true professionals. They are doing a good job and I get a buzz to see it."

PC Retallack said: "My colleagues have asked the boss some really down to earth questions about the job and the future, and he has been honest with us."

And what did PC Retallack think of his day as DCC? He said: "Mr Comben told me to feel free to contribute and I believe I made one or two reasonable points."

The day was quite daunting, going from meeting to meeting and having to clear his mind of one topic, ready for for the next, he said.

Exchanging jobs: Deputy Chief Constable Comben (left) and PC Retallack.

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