A VOLUNTEER policeman whose first assignment was the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana was among a group of Barnet specials to receive long service awards.

Sergeant Stephen Birley joined as a special constable in April 1980, and has risen through the ranks volunteering form between 30-50 hours each month ever since.

He, along with five other officers received medals at a ceremony at Scotland Yard from Deputy Commisisoner Tim Godwin and England’s top judge, the Lord Chief Justice Judge.

He told the Times Series: “It really has changed my life being a special. Over the last 30 years things have certainly changed a lot.

“We used to have different uniforms and be treated badly by some regular officers, and our duties were mostly events and town fairs, things like that.

“But now we’re looked at as equals and there’s a lot more value put in our skills from our day jobs. We come in and do regular duties, just like any other officer.”

Sgt Birley, who works in sales and was born and raised in Hendon, said the job had helped to improve his own skills, including passing an advanced driving course to drive a patrol car.

He added: “It sounds funny but this job is really a kind of stress relief. I get on duty and all I think about is this work.

“Sometimes you do come across people you’ve had to deal with as a special. Once at a party a guy came up to me and started talking. He then said ‘you don’t remember me do you, you gave me three points last year for speeding’.

“You see both sides of life in this job and I’ve come across a lot of situations I never would have before. It’s certainly helped me to develop more skills.”