The borough’s top police officer has left his role ahead of his retirement later this summer.

Detective Chief Superintendent Rick Turner, Richmond’s borough commander, retires from the force next month and is currently on extended leave before his official departure.

Superintendent Jim Davis is running the borough’s police until a new commander is appointed.

D Chief Supt Turner, 52, is leaving his post after 30 years’ service – the age when officers qualify for full police pensions – and said he felt it was time to go.

He said: “I have made the decision I will retire from the police and do something else.

“As much as I have enjoyed it, most people retire when they have done 30 years.

“It’s a nice way to finish, I have done my full service.

“I have been in charge of the borough for three years and truly enjoyed it.

“It was a difficult decision but it has been enjoyable, fulfilling and extremely satisfying.”

D Chief Supt Turner started as a constable on the borough force at the age of 22 and still lives in the area but his career has taken him around the world.

He said: “ I have worked in Uganda, when British tourists were murdered, and in Northern Ireland and been on murder squads that have put dozens of murderers away for life.

“I was also responsible for the identifications of the deceased on July 7 [the 2005 terrorist attacks].

“But I finished [where I started], in this borough.”

D Chief Supt Turner said he was pleased with the job he had done and that Richmond as a borough had seen a drop in crime levels over the past few years.

He said the force was in “safe hands” with Supt Davis and he was taking stock before deciding what to do next.

He added: “I hope to work for another 10 or 15 years.”

Councillor Nick True, leader of Richmond Council, said D Chief Supt Turner had made a “significant contribution” to the borough being one of the safest in London.

He added: “Rick Turner has had a long and distinguished career with the Metropolitan Police and it is in many ways fitting he should retire as commander of the borough where he started as a beat bobby almost 30 years ago.

“He was a policeman to the last and I once even saw him leave the table at a local committee meeting to make an arrest.

“He leaves large boots to fill and we wish him the very best with his life after the Met.”