A POLICE sergeant who swaps picking up criminals for rescuing people from the sea is to feature in the next episode of a documentary focussing on the work of the RNLI.

Sergeant Stephen Clyburn, 33, volunteers as a crew member for Hartlepool RNLI when he is not protecting communities.

He joined the force nine years ago, and has spent seven years in response policing dealing with 999 emergencies as they happen. In his role he monitors and co-ordinates the response to incidents across the area from the police control room.

During his free time, the officer forms part of the life-saving lifeboat crew on call as a volunteer, which has done for the last 15 years.

He said: “Volunteering for the RNLI is such a humbling and worthwhile experience. Being a police officer definitely helps as I can use my training in traumatic situations such as dealing with the family and friends of people in need and those who have sadly lost their lives at sea.

“It’s daunting being on national television and not in my nature to talk a lot about what I do, but I felt it was really important to be able to show the fantastic work of my colleagues at Hartlepool RNLI.”

The work of the officer and his lifeboat colleagues will feature in the Saving Lives at Sea tomorrow (Wednesday, August 23) at 8pm on BBC2.

Superintendent Alison Jackson said: “The fact that Steve protects communities in his job and also saves lives as a volunteer is testament to the person he is. He is always putting others before himself so it’s no surprise that he has dedicated his spare time to public service."