THERE is never a dull day in the life of a country cop.
Sergeant Darrell Phillips-Jones, the officer in charge at the Pinjarra police station, is testament to that.
Just moments into our first interview, officer Dean Chrisp knocks on the door and asks his boss to help in a search for four men in South Yunderup.
Police had pulled over a vehicle and the men fled and hid in nearby bushland.
Apologetic, sgt Phillips-Jones hurriedly joins the search.
No day is ever the same for a country cop - a facet of the job he enjoys.
Sgt Phillips-Jones joined the police force 32 years ago to escape a mundane job.
The local policeman told him in the force there was money to be made and places to go.
So he joined the academy in a decision he still does not regret.
“I’m glad I became a police officer… I didn’t join to become a superhero I just wanted a better job to improve my quality of life,” he said.
Sgt Phillips-Jones remembers his first day on the job vividly.
A man he was arresting in Perth city’s Hay Street Mall put up a fight and in the scuffle broke his sunglasses.
The man pleaded not guilty in court and sgt Phillips-Jones was required to give evidence.
He told the magistrate the man punched him in the chest and broke his sunglasses.
The magistrate asked sgt Phillips-Jones how he knew the man had punched him in the chest and he said because the sunglasses were in his front pocket.
“He was found guilty… they were a good pair of sunnies too.”
Since then sgt Phillips-Jones has worked in Norseman, Dampier, Bunbury and Pingelly.
He transferred to Pinjarra in 1998 where he has since remained as the officer in charge.
At 55 years of age sgt Phillips-Jones has decided to retire.
“I thoroughly enjoy the job and that’s the sad part because I always look forward to coming to work but it’s time to enter the next phase of my life,” he said.
“I would have had to make the transition sooner or later and I’d rather do it sooner than later.”
A keen golfer and farmer, sgt Phillips-Jones said he planned to spend retirement exploring those passions.
He has a 40-acre farm just outside Pinjarra and plans to spend most of his time working the land.
“I was born in Pinjarra, I am retiring in Pinjarra and will probably die in Pinjarra.”
His parents were driving on their way home to Busselton when his mother went into labour, so they stopped in Pinjarra and he was born in Murray Districts Hospital.
After many years in the police force sgt Phillips-Jones said he had been lucky and was counting his blessings.
“It’s absolutely had its ups and downs, highs and lows and there’s been tragedy but I’ve also been involved with many good people,” he said.
“I’ve learnt over the years to never look on the dull side always look on the bright side.”
Sgt Phillips-Jones said the best part of working in a country town was he could always see the results from their hard work.
“A crime is reported, we investigate, find the baddy and then they have their day in court,” he said.
“You can always see the light at the end of the tunnel so from that you get a sense of ownership and involvement because at the end of the day there is that satisfaction.”
Rosalie Britza, who has been working with sgt Phillips-Jones at Pinjarra police station for the past three years, said he was wonderful to work with and was down to earth.
“All people in town from all walks of life get along with him because he’s understanding. You could say he’s old-school,” she said.
“It will be sad to see him go.”
Sgt Phillips-Jones finished last Friday.
Ian Francis from the Mandurah station w
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