Sergeant Jim Corbett retires from Thames police after 38 years

Waikato Time article 28/04/2017
Sergeant Jim Corbett retires from Thames police after 38 years

Thames police sergeant Jim Corbett finished his last shift on April 28 after nearly 38 years of service.

Corbett joined the police force in Hamilton in 1979 and took up the role of frontline sergeant in Thames when the vacancy came up in 1991.

After 14 years in the role, including 18 months as sergeant in charge of law enforcement team for East Waikato, Corbett took on the role of sergeant in charge of the road policing team for the Hauraki and Thames-Coromandel districts.

Moving to Thames appealed to Corbett, who had previously been stationed periodically on the Coromandel Peninsula, both in Whitianga over the holiday season and as a member of the Hamilton Search and Rescue squad.

"I got to know the locals and the area," he said.

Corbett was involved in Operation Stockholm, the search for murdered Swedish backpackers Urban Hoglin and Heidi Paakkonen in 1989, who went missing in Tararu, north of Thames.

He was also involved in a major search in the Moehau Ranges in northern Coromandel, where it got so cold the search had to be suspended and the missing man's body was located two days later.

In 2008, Corbett received the country's most prestigious award for his dedication to search and rescue, the Lou Grant Award.

"If it wasn't for the good work of the volunteers in Search and Rescue over many years, who have supported me during that time, I wouldn't have got that award," he said.

"I'd like to thank all the volunteers from Search and Rescue, Thames Coastguard, Victim Support, Community Patrols, Civil Defence, police, local fire brigades and Search and Rescue groups around the whole peninsula. Also, the police road safety partners, who have worked with me to try and make our roads safer.

"I've enjoyed my almost 38 years serving the community."

Corbett said the worst part of the job was dealing with the families of those who had died in motor vehicle crashes and suicides.

"It's important that people drive carefully and keep an eye on your friends and if they are going through hard times to try and reduce the sadness to families."

Drugs were also becoming a huge problem in our communities, he said.

"It's important for the community to work together with the police to identify the main offenders that are ruining many young people's lives."

Corbett said he thought it was good that there were extra officers planned for Thames, which was to have a 24/7 cop presence in 2018/19.

"We're the gateway to the peninsula and with the increase in tourism, a hospital in the town and a court house in town and the mental health services, we need extra staff to help in our community."

Corbett, 62, has opted to retire a few years early because he needs to have a hip operation.

"I've seen a lot of policemen unfortunately not enjoy their retirement as they have died soon after and I want to keep fit and hopefully have a long retirement with the community and my family," he said.

He was looking forward to spending time with his nine grandchildren, he said.

He plans to have a rest period for a year before getting involved in the community again - to "volunteer somewhere".

"Hopefully early next year I'll get back with the community to help people and support people in the community.

"It's important that the community and police continue working together to make our town and the peninsula a crime free and happy place to live and visit."

Stuff

Waikato Time article 22/12/2008
Accolades for Thames policeman

Sergeant Jim Corbett is the latest recipient of the biennially awarded Lou Grant Award for excellence in search and rescue (SAR).

The bronze trophy commemorates a popular Auckland police sergeant and former head of Auckland SAR who lost his life in the 1993 Eagle helicopter crash.

Mr Corbett paid tribute to his fellow members of the Thames and Coromandel-based SAR groups.

"Without (them) I doubt whether I would have survived so long in search and rescue."

One of the major operations Mr Corbett has been involved in was Operation Stockholme the search for murdered Swedish backpackers Urban Hoglin and Heidi Paakkonen in 1989.

"A couple of other significant searches include one astride the Moehau Ranges in the northern Coromandel where it got so cold the search had to be suspended and the missing man's body was located two days later."

National co-ordinator for search and rescue and disaster victim identification, Inspector Geoff Logan, said Mr Corbett was recognised for always going the extra mile.

"He's put in an awful lot of extra effort into local SAR organisations, including assisting in their establishment and helping in their training and meetings."

The care Mr Corbett showed to missing people as well as their friends and families had prompted dozens of letters of appreciation from those rescued.

Eastern District Chief Inspector Glenn Dunbier said the granting of the award coincided with Mr Corbett attaining his 28-year-clasp to his police long service medal, which was a testament to the level of his commitment to the community.

Mr Corbett was presented his award by Waikato area commander Inspector Allan Boreham during a ceremony in Thames.