A POLICE officer who became wheelchair bound after impaling himself on spikes following a roof fall while chasing a burglar has retired.

Bromley police's partnership manager Dave Prebble retired today after 48 years with the organisation.

He was congratulated for his extraordinary service at a meeting with the Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe.

Mr Prebble, who is 65 next Wednesday, joined the Met as a cadet in 1964, before becoming a PC on his 19th birthday on June 27 in 1966.

In January 1975, the father-of-three came off a roof while chasing a burglar and became impaled on spikes, leaving him wheelchair bound.

He joined police staff in January 1976, was a finance and resource manager at Brixton during the nineties and was awarded an MBE following his service in the 1995 riot.

Mr Prebble joined Bromley police in 1998 and was promoted to business manager in 2000.

He said: "I felt very privileged that the boss took the time out of his busy schedule to see me. "It has been a joy working for this organisation, which I already think is the best police service in the world."

Bromley police's borough commander Detective Chief Superintendent Steph Roberts said: "The Met remains a great organisation because of people like Dave, who dedicate themselves to a lifetime of selfless service to their local communities. "I wish him all the best for a very well-earned retirement."