Fond Farewell For Chief

Illawarra Mercury

Thursday January 1, 2009

By MICHELLE HOCTOR

RETIRING Southern Region police commander Robert May received an emotional farewell yesterday, piped from his Wollongong office as colleagues formed a guard of honour.

Among those saluting the police officer of 42 years was former NSW police commissioner Ken Moroney, who described Assistant Commissioner May as a man of "commitment, dedication and selflessness".

"These important characteristics are things not prescribed in any act of Parliament or written down in the rule book, they come from within," Mr Moroney said.

Mr May, who lives in the Illawarra, joined the NSW Police Force in April 1967 and became assistant commissioner following his appointment as Southern Region commander on January 1, 2006.

In four decades of service, his involvement with the backpacker murders case became a defining period. He received Region and Deputy Commissioner Commendations for his work as the operation commander in 1993 and as a field commander in 1994, during the search of the Belanglo State Forest.

"As an inspector of police I was tasked to go down there and form a search team," Mr May said.

"That team initially consisted of 30, then increased to 300 over ... six weeks. During that time we located three more bodies."

In 1994, Mr May returned to the area as one of several field commanders involved in searches around the Southern Highlands that resulted in the arrest and conviction of Ivan Milat.

He has since been honoured with the Australian Police Medal, NSW Police Medal, Commissioner's Commendation for Bravery, Commissioner's Commendation for Courage and Commissioner's Commendation for Service.

Mr May said the proudest moment of his career was standing next to his two police officer sons, Leading Senior Constable Ashley May and Constable Robin May, at a police awards ceremony last year.

"My boys, they just make me feel so proud ... I couldn't be luckier," he said.

Yesterday Mr May shared morning tea with his colleagues, his sons and wife Maureen.

"I think I'm a big sook. Other people, when they leave the job, they can't wait to get out. For me it's just like losing a loved one," he said.

Mr Moroney gave a few words of comfort to his long-time friend.

"I assured him that, while he was off the beat, retirement was just another rank in the NSW Police Force."

© 2009 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home