He has remained a constable throughout his whole career because either he didn't bother to take the Sergeants exams or he deliberately failed the exams, on the grounds that he wished "to stay out on the streets."

Stamp is one of Sun Hill's longest serving officers. Tony is a big, caring and dedicated policeman with a bit of a short fuse, and is popular with his colleagues. He's a bit of a whinger but, also a joker who's always been one-of-the-boys.  He's been injured lots of times during his time at Sun Hill and was even
shot once (in the same incident that saw Viv Martella killed).He has trouble sustaining long-term relationships with women and once even chose his job over marriage when one of his girlfriends gave him an ultimatum.

Tony is one of a handful of officers at Sun Hill who are permitted to carry a gun, should the situation demand it. At present, he is in love with fellow officer WPC Polly Page, but she
isn't interested in him (stupid woman!) and she has been using him to further her doomed relationship with Tony's friend, Dave Quinnan.
Tony's interests include fishing, classical music, football, rugby, cars and martial arts (he
once ran a judo class for underprivileged children)

All in all, Tony Stamp is a complicated character, a man who is very human, with a lot of faults and attributes (just like the rest of us) and it is a fact that Graham Cole has done a marvellous job, over the years, in bringing this cuddly lovable copper to life in the great TV show that is The Bill.
 

Tony on the plot - questioning witnesses

Tony and Nick, getting the suspect a room for the night!