Ideas - Police Farewell Speech

[Moo Moo]

Hi Ladies and Gents

Since being forced into medical retirement late last year, my former work colleagues have persistently requested that I allow them to organise (how its spelt in Australia) me a work farewell function. My Pain Psychologist thinks this would be a good idea and would give me some closure. Only recently, I gave my friends the "green light" to go ahead and organise it.

(A farewell is not something I am looking forward to. I'm only 45 years old and having my career cut short due to a work related injury, is not something I feel like celebrating. Nobody wants to hear a farewell speech about how bad things have been for my family and I).

So, I'm looking at making this a positive speech; something a bit more happier. Besides thanking everyone for their attendance and support over the 21 years, what else should I include? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers
Moo Moo

 

[dockmurgw]

I can see how this would be a struggle for you. Can you come up with a list of Lighter, humorous moments on the job? Perhaps a collogue did something that later on you laughed about? Turn the tables and put some of your coworkers in the spotlight for something they did, and all have a good laugh about it? Turn in into a roast of sorts, that everyone becomes a part of.

 

[Goldstar225]

Focus on the positive memories accumulated in the past 21 years and the people you served with who helped make them. I know that as I look back the good and funny events can overshadow the those darker moments. I'm sorry to hear that your career ended abruptly and in a negative way. Not the way we want to go out.

 

[Old TexMex]

You surely must have a number of humorous occurrences.
I know I did during my association with AFP and QPF/QPS in the 80’s and 90’s.

Sorry that you’re forced into redundancy,
I trust your benefits are reasonable, and wish you the best of luck
at what ever line you go into in the future.

 

[Old_Cop]

Why did you become a police officer?
How did you evolve over your career?
What and who influenced and mentored you?
Discuss your leaving, it maybe cathartic.
Naturally thanks to all, especially family.

 

[Steve K]

You may consider thinks you liked and disliked in your career. Ever though the dislikes may seem negative at first people in the audience should identify with them and have a good laugh.

 

[Bekeart]

1) 5 Things/Incidents that were Most Memorable
2) 5 Smartest Things you Saw
3) 5 Dumbest Perpetrator/Crook/Driver you dealt with.
4) 5 Things you wish you had done differently.
5) 5 Things you did not do, but WISH YOU HAD.

That is five lists of five ...

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

When my F-I-L retired after 32 years on the force. There was a story of the dumbest crook he busted, The time he stormed a prison riot. And several stories of cadets he had over the years. Not one mention of the then current Chief, who had been a 1958 cadet classmate!

His Army reserve retirement speech was on the same format. So, if it works don't fix it!

 

[Rustyt1953]

1: Acknowledge and thank those that helped you on your path.

2: Try to make it upbeat, funny and a reasonable length.

3: Provide beer.

(Start jotting things down as they pop into your head.)

 

[Muss Muggins]

Be loud, be clear, and be about five minutes . . .

 

[Erich]

I really am impressed that you're thinking so much of how to be graceful to your colleagues after your unfortunate retirement. You really are a person who's chosen to help others.

If it were me, I'd try to use it as an opportunity to encourage those remaining behind. As Old Cop says, mention the good that is done by those people who work in the job, the importance of the job, and how much you enjoyed participating in that mission. Tell them how much you enjoyed and were honored to have worked beside your colleagues. (I agree with Muss: keep it short.)

Then tell them something you plan to do to continue the service to Mankind that you started in that role. If you can't think of anything at the moment, tell them that you're trying to think of something, but that you're not going to stop and that you'll always honor and appreciate their service and the time you spent working alongside them.

I am reading that you're ambivalent about the ceremony, and I understand that. Since you're a person who has made a life helping others, it might be useful to remember that this ceremony is for them as well as you - on one level they want to honor you and see that you're okay, but on another level they need to reassure themselves that THEY would be okay should the same thing happen to them.

It's okay to be wistful about the circumstances of your departure, but you'll do them and yourself a service in appreciating and honoring the job you had, and in letting your colleagues see that you're beginning to move forward - even as you still regret that things were cut off prematurely by ill fortune.

I suspect your psychologist is correct and that this will be a helpful experience for you. Here's a prayer that it will.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Auction off your alarm clock to your co-workers.

 

[Moo Moo]

Thanks gents. That's been great.

 

[Smoke]

I am not a talker. I would definitely keep it under 5 minutes and because my sense of humor doesn't work I would not make any jokes at all.

I'm grateful to have had 21 years in this position and I'm grateful to have had a chance and an opportunity to work with you all. I am very sorry to be leaving under these conditions but I know that I'm leaving the department in very good hands.
I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for your support and my gratitude that you thought enough of me to give me the send off as I go into retirement. I thank you very much and God bless.

And that would be about it.

 

[BigBoy99]

For my retirement address, I started out by saying I have just few words to say and pulled a out of my coat pocket about 30 pages of paper and put them on he podium. (I could see the audience squirm and shifting in their chairs.) I started out by showing them the pages were blank and then talked for about 10 minutes. Everyone was happy.

 

[Golddollar]

I'm grateful to have had 21 years in this position and I'm grateful to have had a chance and an opportunity to work with you all. I am very sorry to be leaving under these conditions but I know that I'm leaving the department in very good hands.
I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for your support and my gratitude that you thought enough of me to give me the send off as I go into retirement. I thank you very much and God bless.

And that would be about it.

I think in your case I agree this all you need.

 

[WuzzFuzz]

I don't know for sure how is is/was down in your neck of the woods, but tell them you're going to miss the donuts and the friendship you had when you were sharing them with your brothers in blue. The dull and un-eventfulness of most days not so much....


WuzzFuzz

 

[usmc2427765]

Mention those that mentored you early in your career and those that were there when you really needed them, those that always had your 6. Avoid politics, bad department policies and supervisors that you would have enjoyed seeing hit by a truck.