By Margaret Maccoll
Retiring Noosa Senior Constable Les (Doc) Suffolk gave officers the slip on Friday when he left through the side door to avoid a ceremony organised to mark his final shift after 41 years with the Queensland Police Service.
But true to form, a unit was dispatched to give chase, and nabbed the attention-shy officer, bringing a reluctant Les back to the waiting crowd.
Senior Sergeant Ben Carroll called officers to attention in a Guard of Honour, and Noosa piper Don Drysdale played while Les completed a relaxed final parade.
Les is on pre-retirement leave, and will officially retire on 12 January 2018 when he turns 60 years of age, a compulsory retirement age within the police force.
He has been a first response officer his entire career, spending the last 31 years based at Noosa Heads police station. His initial postings after being sworn in to the service on 26 July 1976 were Inala, Oxley and Sherwood in Brisbane.
Sen Sgt Carroll praised Len for his impressive record, not becoming jaded by the often confronting work and always treating people “with dignity and respect”.
“Les is well known among the Noosa community, and has made many friends here over the years,” he said. “He is an excellent police officer and is most highly regarded among his peers.”
Les was posted to Noosa with a group of officers sent to increase numbers when the police station began 24 hour operations in 1985.
A fellow retired officer from the same group said it had long been a fantastic place to work with “great leadership and good people”.
The officer said over that time of greatest challenge was the horrific murder of schoolgirl Sian Kingi.
“That particular case will always stay with us,” he said.
