MACARTHUR’S Leading Senior Constable David Rook has been recognised for more than 40 years of service as a ‘boy in blue’, receiving one of just nine Australian Police Medals presented in Victoria on Australia Day.

The medal is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian police force and Ldg Sen Const Rook said he was “overwhelmed by all the attention” and had been celebrating with family and friends since finding out the news.

“I’m very humbled - it was a big thank you,” he said.

“I was a bit overwhelmed because I never thought of it as anything other than just doing my job.

“I thought of (the award) as a recognition of what all police do not just me.”

Preparing for retirement, Ldg Sen Const Rook said he was proud to receive the medal and viewed it as a family achievement due to the constant support they provided him throughout his career.

“I felt like I was accepting it on behalf of my family as well because they’ve been through the journey with me,” he said.

“My wife is my rock and we have three children - all adults now - but 28 years ago they were all young and didn’t understand … but they’re very proud.

“I couldn’t have done it without my wife – she is my sounding board because a lot of the time when you’re working on your own you have to make a decision that could impact your family or the community.”

Ldg Sen Const Rook’s career has spanned many decades and started in 1979 when he joined Victoria Police as a cadet at the age of 17.

“I couldn’t decide whether to join the army or the police force, so I actually tossed a coin and the police won,” he said.

“It appealed to me as a way of life, I liked the discipline that came with it.”

Once he graduated from a Cadet, Ldg Sen Const Rook started attending the police academy where he completed 20 weeks of “rigorous training” before being stationed at Williamstown Police Station.

From there, he worked at Russell Street Police Station, Police Communications (D24), South Melbourne, Avondale Heights, St Albans Police Station and the Broadmeadows District Support Group where he performed investigative and general police duties, before he was transferred to the Hamilton Police Station in 1988.

“It was a massive sea change from the city - a different way of life totally and a different way of policing because the people in Melbourne you’d never see again but the people in Hamilton you’d see again or you’d know,” he said.

“Diplomacy becomes your greatest weapon.”

In 1993, he was transferred for the last time and became the single police member at the Macarthur Police Station.

He said it was a role he thought would only last five years, however, 28 years later he was reflecting on his country life and preparing for retirement.

“I thought we would give it a go for five years, that was the plan, but five years became five more, which became five more and then five more,” he said.

“We ended up staying forever.”

During his time working at the police station in Macarthur, Ldg Sen Const Rook said one of the highlights of his career was the time he spent interacting with children at the local kindergarten and primary schools.

He said he was always aware of the important role the community played in his job as a police officer and aimed to help people feel comfortable interacting with the police.

“I was a big believer in mixing with the school and the kindergartens and integrating with the kids so they weren’t scared of the police,” he said.

“The only interaction most people have with police is when they’re a victim or they’ve done something wrong.

“I tried to make myself available to the school or the kinder, I gave a few talks to local groups around the area.

“They became accustomed to seeing a police officer in the flesh and they became accustomed to me.

“I felt they had a healthy respect for law and order.”

Not only did he make himself available to the kindergarten and primary school but to all members of the community, through participating in the school council, local sporting clubs including cricket, football and golf and having daily interactions with locals.

“We were firmly entrenched in the community,” he said.

“I used to patrol Mount Eccles and there would be lots of people there from all over the world and they were amazed that the police would come and have a cup of tea with you and a chat just to say ‘hi’.

“In a lot of countries, the police are from the military rather than just your local cop.

“If you can form partnerships and relationships with your community it not only makes life easier for you and them but if there is an incident or crime or some sort of event, people will readily and openly talk to you because they know you and trust you.

“I’ve found if you treat people with respect and courtesy, usually you get it back.

“My motto is treat people how I want to be treated.”

Some highlights throughout his 43 years of service include helping to take down the father and son ‘stockos’ who were on the run for crimes they committed in Port Fairy and helping to find missing people.

“I did a lot of patrolling the national park and I did find a number of bush walkers who had gotten lost,” he said.

“It’s absolutely a huge relief finding them and returning them to their families.

“I have a 100 per cent record of finding them… all have been located.

While he loved his time as a police officer, Ldg Sen Const Rook said as with every career, the highs were accompanied by some lows.

“It’s not all smooth sailings, there have been a lot of ups and downs,” he said.

“Tragedy not only affects those people involved but it affects first responders as well and not a lot of people see what happens behind closed doors.”

As the single police member in Macarthur, Ldg Sen Const Rook described himself as “a floating resource” as he would travel to all nearby towns to assist when necessary.

“The police get called to everything from a cat up a tree to serious crimes,” he said.

“I always felt I would just go where help was needed and not just restrain it to my particular area.

“And I enjoyed that, it kept me fresh and interested and it filled in a day.”

Throughout his 43 years in the police force, Ldg Sen Const Rook observed how policing changed and evolved to fit the needs of the community.

“Policing has become more difficult now because we’re not just policing crime but social issues as well,” he said.

“You need far more tools in the tool bag.”

A citation written by Victoria Police to announce his award described Ldg Sen Const Rook as a “role model” and “an accomplished and dedicated police officer”.

“Leading Senior Constable Rook does not just police the town, he provides a community policing and reassurance presence whereby he and his family are an integral part of the community, adding to its vitality and sustainability,” the citation stated.

“For nearly three decades he has, without fear or favour, immersed himself in the community, embedding himself as an exemplar of integrity and professional behaviour.

“He has served his community with distinction and provided them with his time, expertise, commitment and selfless application to his duty, all for the benefit of his community and the surrounding district.

“Leading Senior Constable Rook has provided a sustained quality commitment to his community for over 28 years and is authentic, compassionate and committed.”

Always humble, Ldg Sen Const Rook said none of the achievements throughout his career would have been possible without the assistance he received from those around him during his time at Macarthur Police Station.

“I worked very closely with Parks Victoria as well as the SES and CFA; they've given me outstanding assistance over the years,” he said.

“They make life easier for everyone, they are nothing short of exceptional.”

He said he was looking forward to retiring later this year but recognised it would be a big change.

“I’ve been married to Vic Pol for 43 years and it really is a marriage,” he said.

“I know no other way of life other than Vic Pol for the last 43 years.

“It’s a bit daunting the next chapter, it’s just all I’ve known and it’s hard letting go.”

Regardless of what the future holds for Ldg Sen Const David Rook, he said Macarthur was home and somewhere that would always be an important part of his life.