The Gazette’s Bianca La Cioppa attended last Thursday’s Retired Police Day at Hawkesbury Police Station and asked two officers about their time in the force.
Phillip Close:
For Hawkesbury resident and retired police officer Phillip Close, being a cop was a way of life he would choose all over again.
Mr Close retired eight years ago (2006) when he decided to dedicate his time to the local community, taking up the role of president of the Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association.
He was a policeman for 37 years.
‘‘I joined the Police Force back in 1969 and I was stationed in Windsor from 1978 to 1994,’’ Mr Close told the Gazette as he celebrated National Retired Police Day last Thursday, September 11.
‘‘I came here [Windsor] as a junior detective and while I was here I was promoted to sergeant in charge...I also relieved as commander for 12 months.’’
Mr Close said at the time the station was called Windsor patrol and ‘‘Richmond was only open for 16 hours a day’’.
After being based in Windsor for 20 years, Mr Close joined the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) as commission officer.
Mr Close was also in charge of the state’s first-ever Integrity Testing Program.
After having spent most of his life in uniform, Mr Close is pleased his daughter has now decided to follow in his footsteps.
‘‘I feel very honoured and very proud that she and her husband continue to protect and serve our communities,’’ Mr Close said.
Mr Close was also awarded the Australian Police Medal in 1998 and was named Hawkesbury Citizen of the Year for policing in 1996.
‘‘If I had my time again tomorrow, I would start all over again,’’ he said. ‘‘I love the Police Force.’’
Joanne Clinch
Living life on the frontline of the NSW Police Force is a career path many officers never regret.
It gives them the opportunity to help the people and community around them.
For Hawkesbury resident Joanne Clinch, hanging up the light blue shirt and navy pants five weeks ago was one of the ‘‘hardest decisions’’ she had ever had to make.
‘‘It was the hardest decision leaving the force,’’ she said. ‘‘I loved being a policewoman.’’
She made the decision because of family commitments including her daughter, who was injured in a waterskiing accident in March.
Mrs Clinch said she felt it was time to be at home with her two children.
‘‘It is lovely being home, especially now with my kids in their teen years...I missed a lot when they were babies, but now it is better that I am there for them,’’ she said.
Mrs Clinch was based at the Windsor police station for three-and-a-half years, and was previously at Mount Druitt for 14 years.
While based in Windsor, Mrs Clinch achieved the rank of sergeant.
‘‘The difference between the two stations was crazy,’’ she said.
‘‘Out here, I dealt with a lot of major car accidents and natural disasters, but in Mount Druitt it was a lot of alcohol and drug abuse.’’
Mrs Clinch only packed up her uniform a short time ago, and said ‘‘it really hasn’t hit yet, it just feels like I am on holidays’’.
‘‘I have started up a personal training business at home.
‘‘I know I am going to have a period when I am going to miss it.’’
But she said that in the future there was no reason she wouldn't return to the force.
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