Police pause to remember

Serving and retired police officers from throughout Eastern Region Division 5 led a moving service at Drouin last Thursday for Police Remembrance Day.

Joining them were other Victoria Police employees, families, widows and members of Police Legacy and the public for the service at the Drouin Anglican church.

Division five takes in the Baw Baw, Bass Coast and South Gippsland shires and Latrobe City.

The day, more popularly known as Blue Ribbon Day, pays tribute to Victorian police that have lost their lives in duty and service to the community.

It also recognises members of the police force, sworn or unsworn, that have died in the past 12 months of which there were 17 in Division 5.

Head of the Baw Baw police district Inspector Alison Crombie in her welcome to the service said Police Remembrance Day reminds us of the difficulties police face in bearing their responsibilities in their service of the community.

Prior to the church service, Leading Senior Constable Kevin McLaren hoisted a flag in the church grounds accompanied by a salute by serving officers and a drum roll by Anthony Gardiner of the Warragul Municipal Band.

At the service prayers were led by the Reverend Amy Turner, police chaplain for Baw Baw, Bass Coast and South Gippsland shires, the congregation heard from guest speaker Sergeant Ben McWilliam from the Blue Ribbon Foundation and observed a minute’s silence after the presentation of wreaths.