A friend of mine is in his last year before retirement. A fine strapping lad is probably how he would have been described in his day. Absolute gent but I'd say he'd end you if you tried it on. He was telling me when he left Templemore his first posting was Dublin and every day the Sergeant would hunt them all out of the station to walk the beat. He said the job has changed so much now as not only are you being scrutinised by the public, but your superiors are also breathing down your neck watching every move. Was saying that the human element is disappearing from the job.