Award-winning response officer retires after 23 years

A front-line police officer who received national acclaim is hanging up his helmet after 23 years on the beat.

Grindon-born PC Joe Furniss has served the communities of Sunderland since 2001 as a response officer.

From helping to manage murder scenes to searching for missing people, no one day has been the same – and his extraordinary policing journey has also seen him deployed to global events beyond the North East.

The 51-year-old was on duty to help facilitate former US Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump on their respective visits to the UK, while his proudest achievement was working at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.

PC Furniss’ commitment to policing also saw him named NPCC National Response Officer of the Year last year, nominated by his peers and hand-selected by a judging panel of senior officers across the UK.

Bringing the curtain down on an unforgettable career this week, PC Furniss said: “Ever since I was a lad, I wanted to be a police officer – the unpredictability of what each day might bring made it look like such an exciting job to do.

“I’m born and bred in Sunderland and it was a daily privilege to look out for people, keep them safe and support those who were quite often in their lowest ebb when coming into contact with police.

“This is my city – and you do feel protective of it. You just want to make a difference.”

Starting his career based at the former Gilbridge Police Station in the city centre, PC Furniss has nothing but fond memories of a job that “surpassed all expectations”.

The Black Cats fan has had his fair share of sporting responsibilities down the years too – working as a spotter at various high-profile fixtures involving Newcastle United and Sunderland, as well as at Gateshead’s FA Trophy final victory over Solihull Moors at Wembley last month.

“I’ve always been the type of person to put my hand up to get involved, and do something different,” PC Furniss said.

“When I joined the police, I never thought I’d have been able to be a part of such a wide range of things, both here in the North East and further afield.

“It does feel strange, now it’s all come to an end – I’m not entirely sure what retirement will look like yet. But I feel proud and privileged to have had the career I’ve had, caring for the people of Sunderland.

“I’ve loved it from start to finish.”

If you’re interested in a career in policing, register here https://careers.northumbria.police.uk/police-officer/ and come to one of our online information events.