February 2020
Times have changed. Technology continues to race forward. But the core duties and responsibilities of our Police Force remain the same, and today we celebrate the late Senior Constable Albert Pont, who died on 11 February 1980 – forty years ago, when motorcycle police wore leather hats instead of helmets, and Snr Cst Pont managed to wear out nine police bikes in his 23 years and 250,000 miles of service!
We spoke with his widow Helen Pont, who has a wealth of stories about her husband, and many fond memories of their time together. The two had five children, and lived mostly in country NSW, where in 1959 Snr Cst Pont received a commendation from the then Police Commissioner Colin Delaney for his part in the recapture of two notorious jail escapees, and later the Police Medal for good conduct.
The story that shines perhaps the most vividly in Mrs Pont’s mind is Albert’s pivotal role in the arrest of the Nowra Streaker in 1974, a feat she attests to his quick wits and logical thinking. Albert reasoned that the streaker must have left his clothes somewhere, and in this case “follow the laundry” was the key to success.
On the 40th anniversary of Albert’s death, we celebrate the pair of you and the life you built together. May your memories always stay strong.