The job of a policeman can be gruelling work and often it comes with little reward.
But one man's done it longer than anyone else.
Mike Ormsby is in his 50th year of continuous service, a feat that's been honoured with a special award.
1966 was a historic year -- England won its first and only Football World Cup, Lyndon B. Johnson became the first US president to visit New Zealand, and Senior Sergeant Ormsby served his first day in the New Zealand Police.
But far from being consigned to history, Snr Sgt Ormsby is still making it, as the Kiwi cop with the longest continuous service ever.
"It's the thought that when you come to work, somewhere along the line you're going help somebody," says Snr Sgt Ormsby. "Don't know where, don't know who, don't know how, but somewhere along the line you will."
That longevity was honoured yesterday by whanau, colleagues and the Commissioner of Police.
It's the first time the clasp for Long Service and Good Conduct has ever been awarded for 49 years of work.
The job has changed a lot since that very first day.
"Every policeman brought his own portable typewriter because there was only one in the muster room for you," Snr Sgt Ormsby says.
And, of course, there were no mobile phones on the beat.
"If you needed help you'd better find a phone booth in a hurry."
But while the tools of the trade may be vastly different now, some things will always stay the same.
"What doesn't change is principles," Snr Sgt Ormsby says. "The virtues which were held way back -- they're still the same."
His son and daughter are also in the force despite his advice, and now the big question is how much longer he'll serve alongside them.
But given all those years of service, it's hard to bet against him reaching 50 in May.
Newshub.
