Police member books his retirement

By Sarah Schwager
AFTER 31 years in the police force, Cranbourne Senior Sergeant Bryan Ramsey said goodbye to the life of crime fighting to spend more time with his wife and to take time out to travel.
A send-off on Monday showed how many people’s lives he had touched in the force after holding the position at Cranbourne for 13 years.
Sen Sgt Ramsey, 56, said a combination of poor health, having suffered chronic fatigue syndrome over the past three years, and wanting to spend more time at home, led to his decision to retire from the force.
“It was a good job,” he said.
“Along the way I chose not to take promotions. The jobs beyond didn’t appeal.
“It was the people I worked with that made the job. We had a great crew at Cranbourne.”
But he said it was time to relax and recover, spending time babysitting his grandson and with wife Lesley.
“It’s not easy being the wife of a police officer,” Sen Sgt Ramsey said.
“Now it’s time to devote time to her and show my appreciation for all those years.”
Region 5 media and marketing coordinator Senior Constable Amanda Hardy said Sen Sgt Ramsey was the reason she transferred to Cranbourne before taking her current job.
“He’s a terrific boss,” she said.
“I really miss him.
“He always had time for the human issues of policing.
“You could always go to him if you ever had any issues.”
Sen Const Hardy said Sen Sgt Ramsey was initially told that he was having lunch with three or four people but about 40 turned up including Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Ferguson who presented Sen Sgt Ramsey’s leaving certificate.
In his time in the force, Sen Sgt Ramsey has worked in traffic operations, prosecutions, the Crime Squad and personnel before becoming a sergeant.
He said he had enjoyed working in Cranbourne and fortunately had never had to shoot anyone.
“There’s a lot of growth. It’s a good police district to work in,” he said.
“It’s much more interesting to work in a place where things happen.
“I’ve met a lot of fantastic people and lot of others who don’t match the description.”
He said highlights had included policing the Phillip Island Grand Prix, Cranbourne Cup, and the motorcycle ride off to the Grand Prix.
But he said after his health suffering in the past three years, it would be good to relax and improve his health.
He now plans to do some travelling and is keen to four wheel drive around Australia.
Bruce Kitchen was welcomed into the job this week and will take over the position as senior sergeant at Cranbourne.