DECORATED, long-serving police officer Chief Inspector Gary Raymond, from Sydney, shared some of his experiences at a civic prayer breakfast in Wellington Point on Friday.
Chief Inspector Raymond, who serves as a chaplain for the Police Post Trauma Support Group, addressed community leaders, school groups and businesses at the 2014 Redland City Mayoral Prayer Breakfast.
He joined the NSW Police Force in 1972 and worked in the rescue squad, as a homicide detective and helped manage the Sydney Olympics.
Chief Inspector Raymond spoke about how religion and faith had helped him and others in the line of work.
He described his feelings during an armed confrontation with what was later revealed to be a 14-year-old drug addict holding a toy gun.
"In the darkness of the alley we thought it was a real gun and we nearly took his life," he said.
Words from the officer and a good behaviour bond encouraged the boy to later become a drug rehabilitation worker.
Although discussing serious topics, Chief Inspector Raymond's speech was laced with humour to break from the grimmer aspects of his work.
The speech followed prayers from religious leaders, Bible readings by Wellington Point State High School student Carlton Hicks and Hilliard State School student Teagan Losch.
Redland City mayor Karen Williams expressed her support for the school chaplaincy program, for which the audience raised more than $13,000.
"Your generosity will truly make a difference," she said.
"It's days like this that make me truly proud to be a leader in this city."
