Officer-in-charge at Williamstown police station Ian Hicks, says
he will miss the people, not the politics, after handing in his badge on
Friday.
Stationed in Williamstown since 1996, Senior Sergeant Hicks, an
old-school cop (pictured) whose staff call him “Mr Hicks” or “Boss”, is
retiring after 41 years on the job.
He says policing has had its ups and downs, and the unpredictability has been part of the appeal.
He was right on the ground when Gary Ablett kicked his 100th goal at Princes Park for the Geelong Football Club.
The worst day on the job was January 30, 2009, when four-year-old
Darcey Freeman was dropped from the West Gate Bridge by her father.
“It was 45 degrees that day,” Senior Sergeant Hicks said.
“I responded that day and it did have an impact … it still impacts on me today.
“Although I didn’t actually have to pick her up, some of my staff
had to pick her up and then I had the job of picking my staff up.
“I don’t think I’ve ever got over how someone can do that to another human being.”
The 41 staff at Williamstown are what Senior Sergeant Hicks will miss the most, he said.
“I love my staff and that’s what I’ll miss,” he said.
“I won’t miss the politics, the meetings, the paperwork, but I’ll miss the people and the social interaction I have with the community.’’
Mr Hicks remains chairman of the International Police Association, a worldwide friendship network.
