Across NSW last week retired police gathered to catch up with mates and reminisce about their times in the police service.
At Tweed, more than 200 former officers took part in the lunch at the Tweed Heads PCYC. The inaugural events are part of celebrations for the NSW Police Service’s 150-year commemoration.
Tweed Byron LAC Commander Superintendent Stuart Wilkins said more than 350 people took part in Tweed’s event.
Retired police came from north of Brisbane and all over the Gold Coast, Tweed and Byron to take part in the day, including a lot of those who were once stationed just down the road from the PCYC at the Tweed station.
“This is the inaugural retired police officers day and its an idea that came out of the detectives’ board, the detectives’ dinner,” Supt Wilkins said, speaking at the event.
“We didn’t have long to organise it but we’ve come leaps and bounds in four weeks. I think this is the biggest day across the State for retired police.”
So why was it so well attended and so important to have?
“It’s important for a whole range of reasons,” Supt Wilkins said.
“It’s important to recognise the service that NSW police have done for the NSW community. Whether you’ve done 40 years or four years, it’s important you are recognised as part of the family, as part of the profession that has given selfless service to the community.
“It’s a career that you only know what it’s all about when you are doing it.
“There’ll be some stories here today,” he laughed.
