NSW Police says farewell to Tenterfield highway patrol officer Senior Constable Ian Ramma

Senior Constable Imants ‘Ian’ Ramma walked out of Tenterfield Police Station on Friday afternoon to a guard of more than 50 officers who travelled from across the state to farewell the long-serving officer.

Senior Constable Ramma is in the top 10 longest serving members in the NSW Police – and one of only two serving on the frontline.

New England Acting Superintendent Roger Best said it was “an extraordinary day to celebrate an extraordinary career”.

“Quite clearly Senior Constable Ramma has made an amazing contribution to both the NSW Police and the communities he has policed,” he told Fairfax Media.

“It’s a day to celebrate an extraordinary career in the NSW Police, and more importantly an amazing member of the wonderful Tenterfield community.”

Fellow colleagues paid tribute to the popular officer who has been a familiar face on the New England Highway after 34 years of service in Tenterfield.

Police Radio paid tribute to Western 303 –  Senior Constable Ramma’s patrol car – telling officers across the region it had been “a privilege” to work with him.

But it was he who wanted to thank them.

“I’d like to thank you for all your help … with traffic reports and traffic inquiries over the years … it's been great, thank you,” he said in his last official broadcast to the radio branch.

He first joined the force as a trainee back in 1971 in Redfern and was then assigned to the Metro Traffic Branch in 1974.

He first landed in Tenterfield in general duties in October, 1977, before returning to Metro in 1979. But he didn’t stay too long, returning to the New England to make Tenterfield his home for the next 32 years.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command presented Senior Constable Ramma with his board of rank during the official ceremony before he was marched out.