The Met's longest serving police officer has retired after an illustrious 47-year-career, which started in Merton.

PC Mick Mountain, 66, from Morden, joined the police service in 1966 at the age of 19 and was based on the beat in Wimbledon.

During his 47-year career Mick has arrested thousands of criminals, worked under eleven commissioners, policed the Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees, had his nose broken three times and had a gun pointed at him twice.

But his most memorable arrest was when he responded to reports of a man with a hand grenade on Wimbledon Common.

PC Mountain and his colleague approached the man, who had the grenade in his pocket and was threatening to pull the pin.

He grabbed the man holding his hand in his pocket to ensure the pin was not released. His colleague called for assistance, which arrived not a moment too soon for the brave officer as he continued to fight the man to keep the pin in the grenade.

After a cordon was set up, the only option was for PC Mountain to rip the grenade from the man's pocket and throw it into the designated open space. Thankfully the pin stayed in the grenade and no one was injured.

He received a Commissioner's commendation for his brave actions.

In 1995 PC Mountain transferred to the Palace of Westminster, where he has worked for the last 18 years.

He said: "What can I say, I stick at things.

"Looking back, joining the police was the best piece of advice my dad could have given me.

"I will always be proud to have been in the Met, as I believe we are the best police service in the world."

Sgt Malcolm Buchanan, Mick's line manager, said: "Mick has been a flexible and accommodating member of my team.

"He is an individual who is not easily flustered, is self-confident and communicates easily with everyone from all walks of life.

"He has always displayed an exemplary and professional attitude to his work which is confirmed by his colleagues. Completing 47 years service is a unique achievement which is unlikely to be passed."

Now a licensed cab driver, Mick intends on spending his retirement with his family and visiting his second home in Spain.

 

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