Castle Hill Sergeant Greg Bertoldo retires after 38 years as a police officer
There were emotional scenes at Castle Hill police station as popular police officer Sergeant Greg Bertoldo retired after 38 years on Wednesday.
Hills Shire
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A much-loved member of NSW Police has retired after a huge 38 years of service.
Sergeant Greg Bertoldo, who has spent the last 10 years at Castle Hill Police Station, was given a guard of honour by colleagues on his final day yesterday.
Some colleagues shed tears, others punched his arm in affection but all spoke warmly about the popular officer.
Colleague, Chief Inspector Jim Szabo described him as “always smiling and caring” and a “father figure to the many junior officers he led”.
Another colleague, Inspector Matt Harris said he was a “calming influence during demanding or stressful incidents attended in the line of duty.”
His sister Julie — also a police officer — summed it up best perhaps by saying that whenever anybody hears she is Greg’s sister they remark what a great bloke he is.
Despite dedicating his life to it, Sgt Bertoldo didn’t set out to be police officer.
He initially worked as a tradesman when he left school but his father encouraged him to get another job.
“Some of the guys in my football team were police officers and they showed me how to join,” he said.
Sgt Bertoldo has been stationed at Redfern, Albury, Hornsby, Quakers Hill, Hornsby and Castle Hill during his time in the police force.
He describes the camaraderie among officers as one of the perks and cites his time working in technical surveillance — “trying to catch high-level criminals” — as the highlight.
But one of the things he won’t miss is working in the so called “charge room” where those who are arrested by police are taken.
“I’m the custody manager and you spend five minutes in there and you will understand,” he said with a wry smile.
“They are just belligerent.”
Sgt Bertoldo is adamant the The Hills district is in desperate need of more police officers.
“We have the same staff levels as 20-25 years ago yet we have brand new suburbs plus the metro,” he said.
The type of crime in the area has also changed.
“In the years gone by it was a lot of car accidents,” he said. “These days it is mostly domestic violence and mental health.”
Sgt Bertoldo is not sure what he will do in retirement but will probably be found “tinkering around the house”.
And if he had one message for the public?
“For the young kids I would say be responsible for your actions,” he said. “For everyone else I would say lock up your house at night and don’t leave valuables like your wallet in the car.”
Solid advice from a man worth listening too.