Premier thanks ex-cop

A lifetime of service in the WA Police has done little to mar the perpetual grin and positive attitude of retired police sergeant William Edmund Smith.

Sitting opposite Premier Mark McGowan, who met with Mr Smith to thank him for his service, the former Rockingham sergeant was more interested in the running of the State than his own story.

But when Sgt Smith reflected on his story of 50 years in the WA Police, it was mostly with a fond smile across his face.

“I’m proud of it, I am, honestly,” he said.

The 76-year-old was the longest-service police officer in WA when he retired in 2014.

Mr Smith began his service with the Western Australia Police Force as a recruit in February 1964, after serving for three years in the Australian Regular Army.

Mr Smith’s service spanned across several stations in the State, including service at the Central, Fremantle and North Fremantle police stations and Traffic, before he transferred to Regional WA with service at Northam and Boddington police stations between 1972 and 1978.

Mr Smith was then promoted to sergeant and returned to the metropolitan area before he transferred to Rockingham Police Station in 2002 until he retired.

“I loved it, I loved Rockingham. It has a certain atmosphere about it,” Mr Smith said. “It was good, a lot of humour and that.”