Between 1950 and 1952 he served in the Special Investigation Branch of the Royal Military Police during the Korean War.
[2] He rejoined the Lancashire Constabulary after the war as a Constable rising to the rank of Chief Inspector by 1965.
Woodcock then served as Deputy Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary from 1974 to 1978.
After this he was promoted Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, holding the post for one year.
[3] In 1990, he was appointed Chief Inspector of Constabulary, a post he held for three years, before retiring in 1993.