Residents and the town council pulled together to give the PCSO gifts and cards to thank her for her time as PCSO. Maria has left the role after 15 years.
Ottery residents have bid a fond farewell to a popular PCSO who leaves the role after 15 years.
PCSO Maria Clapp will walk her last beat on Friday after being the face of the town’s policing since 2005.
The town council presented her with flowers and a golf voucher and on Tuesday, residents attending Ottery Parish Church’s weekly coffee morning gave the officer gifts and cards to thank her for her service.
Maria became one of Devon and Cornwall’s first PCSOs in 2003. She was selected from 1,100 applicants for the job after 23 years as a dental nurse.
She told the Herald; “Being 55, now is a good opportunity to try a different avenue. I want a bit more time for myself. “It was an honour to get the job.
“Everything I do is to the best of my ability.
“Being a PCSO is about being out and about and making people feel a little easier and happier is was someone around. Every PCSO does their job differently because each town is different.”
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