Popular police officer retires after 37 years of service

The extraordinary work and service of Wee Waa’s Senior Constable Ken Anderson APM OAM was described as being ‘of legend status’ at a special marching off ceremony held in Wee Waa on Monday.

After 37 years in the force, the popular police officer is retiring.

“There’s no doubt you’ve had a fantastic career,” said Detective Superintendent and Commander of Oxley Police District Peter O’Brien.

“A good community cop, a good country cop where you know everybody and they know you, hence the respect you have in the community.”

“Being a police officer is not just about putting on a uniform,” added Police Inspector Robert Dunn.

“It’s about being entrenched in the community which is something our deputy and commissioner have really pushed but has been long established by yourself Ken.

“I think you’ve provided the model of what all our police should be as far as our community goes.

“Your commitment to us as an organisation has been outstanding, 37 years is a marvellous effort.

“I sincerely thank you.”

Kenny Anderson with his father Ken Anderson APM OAM who is retiring after 37 years of service to the NSW Police. Kenny Anderson with his father Ken Anderson APM OAM who is retiring after 37 years of service to the NSW Police.

Jenny Bradshaw, retiring Wee Waa police officer Ken Anderson and former Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw. Jenny Bradshaw, retiring Wee Waa police officer Ken Anderson and former Assistant Commissioner Steve Bradshaw.

A marching off ceremony held in Wee Waa for retiring policeman Ken Anderson. Pictured, Senior Constable Michelle King, Snr Cst. Megan O’Brien, Constable Mikayla Sweeney, Constable Gary Cook, Snr Cst. Cameron Bounds, Sergeant Daniel Cooper, Snr Cst. Ben King, Snr Cst. Hayden Uerata, Sergeant Scott Bolton, Chief Inspector Nick Weyland, Insp. Steve Munn, Inspector Robert Dunn, Detective Superintendent Peter O’Brien, retiring Senior Constable Ken Anderson and Sally McFarland playing the bag pipes. A marching off ceremony held in Wee Waa for retiring policeman Ken Anderson. Pictured, Senior Constable Michelle King, Snr Cst. Megan O’Brien, Constable Mikayla Sweeney, Constable Gary Cook, Snr Cst. Cameron Bounds, Sergeant Daniel Cooper, Snr Cst. Ben King, Snr Cst. Hayden Uerata, Sergeant Scott Bolton, Chief Inspector Nick Weyland, Insp. Steve Munn, Inspector Robert Dunn, Detective Superintendent Peter O’Brien, retiring Senior Constable Ken Anderson and Sally McFarland playing the bag pipes.

Retiring Wee Waa police officer Ken Anderson with Colleen Combo, one of the community members who thanked Mr Anderson for his service at a gathering held at the Wee Waa Bowling Club. Retiring Wee Waa police officer Ken Anderson with Colleen Combo, one of the community members who thanked Mr Anderson for his service at a gathering held at the Wee Waa Bowling Club.

Ken Anderson with is wife Merilyn Anderson. Mrs Anderson was thanked at the ceremony for her ongoing support. Ken Anderson with is wife Merilyn Anderson. Mrs Anderson was thanked at the ceremony for her ongoing support.

In a stirring speech, Insp. Dunn recognised many of Mr Anderson’s achievements including the Order of Australia and Australian Police Medals in 2013 and his ANZAC of the year award in 2003.

Mr Anderson’s ‘outstanding contribution’ regarding the arrest of a sexual assault offender was recognised and his work ‘beyond the call of duty’ in a case involving the death of a three-year-old child in a drowning incident.

Insp. Dunn noted the letters of appreciation from family members who had lost relatives but were comforted by the professionalism of Mr Anderson as well as Mr Anderson’s work during the 1998 floods, the 2001-02 bushfires and his commitment to making Wee Waa a better place to live.

“I love wearing the uniform, I love my wife, I love everything here and I want to thank you all very much for,” said Mr Anderson.

Mr Anderson was joined by his son Kenny and also paid tribute to his wife Merilyn who wasn’t able to be at the ceremony but who has been right by his side throughout his career.

The Andersons moved to Wee Waa in 1985.

“When I left Sydney I was only coming here as a stepping stone to go to Kingscliff actually, I never ever got to Kingscliff,” said Mr Anderson.
“I’ve stayed here because I was so impressed with the place and the people.”

Mr Anderson said he wanted to be a police officer from a very young age but it was a somewhat bumpy road to get to wear the blue uniform in 1982.

“I left school at 14 and 10 months and I didn’t have enough of an education, when I tried to do the exams, it took me about eight years to get through.

“I finished up joining the police force when I was 28 and that was my ultimate goal.

“It was a privilege to wear the uniform and serve the community.”

Mr Anderson has been involved in countless fundraising events and said one of his proudest achievements was raising money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter through horse rides.

Mr Anderson has taken the challenges of being a police officer in a small community, where everyone knows each other, in his stride and has shown empathy and support to his fellow Wee Waarians.

“It’s very hard but other people have got the same problem – you go to the hospital and you bring a fatal accident in and that could be the nurse’s family.

“We had to sort of telephone the hospital to see who was working to make sure they weren’t there when we’d bring people in and it’s a very hard call, but someone’s got to be strong at the end of the day and a lot of people would say we’re very strong and we’re tough and rough and all that but we’re not.

“We’re like human beings, we melt at the end of the day and have a beer and sit by ourselves and think of what’s just happened.”

Former Narrabri and Wee Waa Sergeant Des Organ worked with Mr Anderson in the 1990s.

“He’s a man of great courage, he demonstrated his own personal courage many times when responding to incidents.

“The community trusted him and that was also proven many times,” said Mr Organ.

“He had a good understanding of the Aboriginal community and of the rural community.”

Mr Organ praised Mr Anderson’s wife Merilyn for supporting her husband especially when he was the lock-up keeper.

“It was a different time,” said Mr Organ.

“Merilyn would be answering the police radio, attending to after hours phone calls, she was part of the team and an integral part.”

Mr Organ said Mr Anderson was a mentor to young officers and the ‘go-to’ policeman for many residents who would often call him directly if they needed help, and probably still will.

“Whatever he does in retirement he will still continue to contribute, he can’t help himself, he likes to give back to the community.”

A gathering was held at the Wee Waa Bowling Club following the marching off ceremony and many community members including a group of ladies who were initially there to play Bingo, approached Mr Anderson and thanked him for his service.

Insp. Dunn concluded the formalities by presenting Mr Anderson’s son Kenny with a beautiful bunch of
flowers.

“Of course policing is not just about the officer, it’s also about their family,” said Insp. Dunn.

“As a token of thanks to you Kenny and your Mum – thank you so much for the 37 years that you guys have had to put up with call-outs and all the rest of it.”