SERGEANT Mike Wood has taken over the role of section commander at Tidworth police station.

Sgt Wood joined Wiltshire police cadets in 1980 and was posted to Salisbury the following year, upon his appointment to constable.

He gained experience in both uniform and CID duties, before being promoted to Swindon in 1993.

A year later, he was transferred to Warminster, spending a further two and a half years on general police duties.

In 1996, Sgt Wood returned to Salisbury, taking charge of the Crime Support Unit until 1998, when he assumed the role of section commander at Wilton.

In 2000, he took up a post in the custody unit at Salisbury.

Sgt Wood is looking forward to his new appointment and said: "It is extremely important that officers are highly visible in the community.

"Often, the fear of crime is greater than the reality of crime itself and the reassurance of a police officer on the beat cannot be overestimated.

"Taking over the successful tenure of Sgt Paul Oatway is a real challenge and one I intend to dedicate every effort to.

"Having worked as a sergeant in Warminster, I am greatly looking forward to renewing important links with the military."

Sgt Wood is a family man who enjoys distance learning in his spare time.

He has successfully completed diplomas in government and politics with the Open University and is completing the final year of a Bachelor of Science degree in politics, before beginning a second degree in French.