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When Whangaparaoa’s long standing community constable, Jug Price, leaves his desk for the last time this week, he will have achieved his goal of obtaining four stars on his Long Service Good Conduct medal in recognition of 42 years in the police.
He retires having served as the local community cop for 13 years.
His last day, on February 2, is something the 61-year-old has been feeling apprehensive about. “I haven’t had a day unemployed since the age of 16,” he says. “You’re institutionalized in this job and used to putting on that uniform each day. I’ve loved almost every minute of it.”
What he has loved most has been the people – both workmates and the wider community.
He says the biggest part of his job is problem solving and conflict resolution, and that you develop a knack for this over time. It’s enabled him to make a difference, but also caused him a lot of frustration.
Being on the spot has also been important. “When I joined the police in 1976, it was all about catching and locking up criminals,” he says. Jug far prefers the current focus on crime prevention – something he’s been practising for years with his regular walkabouts and chats with locals. “The best weapon the commissioner gave me when I joined was my tongue,” he says. “Seeing the uniform is also a preventative. Prevention is a better approach to help young people, in particular, so that the odd misdemeanor doesn’t ruin their career aspirations.”
He says that the biggest scourge the community currently faces is methamphetamine, which he has seen the effects of time and time again in broken families struggling to cope. “If you could wave a wand and stamp it out, everyone would be the better for it.”
The new chapter in Jug’s life will include the ongoing renovation of his house, playing golf once a week and going fishing when the opportunity arises. He says he may also look for part time work.
A farewell morning tea was held for Jug at Orewa Police Station on February 1. A new Whangaparaoa community constable has not yet been appointed.
