Senior Sergeant Peter Grundy and Senior Sergeant Ian Hicks have both received National Police Service Medals. 85011 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By ALESHA CAPONE
A TRIO of policemen who have collectively served more than 130 years have been recognised for their dedication.
Senior Sergeant Ian Hicks, Senior Sergeant Peter Grundy and Sergeant Ian Brown all recently received National Police Service Medals.
Sen Sgt Hicks has been on the job for four decades and in charge of Williamstown Police Station for 14 years.
He is also chairman of the International Police Association Victorian branch.
Sen Sgt Peter Grundy from Altona North Police Station has been wearing the blue uniform for 43 years.
Sergeant Ian Brown is based at Footscray Police Station.
Sen Sgt Hicks and Sen Sgt Grundy have served in the West for much of their time with Victoria Police, including at Footscray and the former Kingsville Police Station.
Both of the men said they enjoyed the camaraderie of being a police officer and collaborating with the public.
“The thing is you don’t know what’s going to happen and every day is a different challenge,” Sen Sgt Grundy said.
“I think the biggest challenge is not to take work home with you, because you do see things you don’t want to take home and worry your family about.”
Sen Sgt Hicks remembers attending the 2009 case of four-year-old Darcy Freeman whose father threw her off the West Gate Bridge.
“It teaches you how to appreciate your family. That was a pretty traumatic day,” he said.
He advised people thinking of a career in the police force to “get some life experience”.
“I always tell prospective candidates policing is 90 per cent common sense and 10 per cent law. You’ve also got to have a desire to help people,” he said.
Sen Sgt Hicks said both he and Sen Sgt Grundy had remained in the job for so long thanks to the support of their families.
