Police honoured for years of service
From chasing abalone poachers along the coastline of Tasmania to watching his recruits save lives, there’s not much Rod Warrington hasn’t seen or done in his 46 years of policing.
On Friday, First Class Constable Warrington – the longest-serving police officer within Tasmania Police – received his National Medal third clasp, for 45 years of service.
The stalwart policeman, who has trained more than 800 new recruits over the past 20 years, was one of a number of officers honoured in the first of three annual medal ceremonies to be held across the state.
Constable Warrington, who currently works at the Tasmania Police Academy as an operational skills instructor, has had many roles in the force during his long tenure – including with the uniform branch, youth services, and marine and rescue.
He said training new recruits was “pretty satisfying”, especially when his trainees went on to do great things.
“They’re doing some amazing things out there that the general public does not know about,” he said.
“I now get to see what they’re doing because of body-worn camera footage, so it’s pretty rewarding.
“I know it sounds a bit dramatic, but I’m training them to save lives.
“Every day, the men and women of the Tasmania Police force are out there saving lives.
“It’s amazing.” Constable Warrington said he had initially wanted to join the army, but his father had convinced him to try the police force instead – all the way back in 1978.
Another long-serving police officer, Kendra Hay, was also honoured on Friday.
First Class Constable Hay, the longest-serving female officer within Tasmania Police, has now retired after nearly 42 years in the force.
The highlights of her career include working at the Glenorchy early intervention and community policing unit, human resources, radio dispatch and telephone interception services.
Commissioner Donna Adams said she was proud of the work done by Tasmania Police officers.