Andrew Scipione has marched out of the Bankstown Police Station for the last time, retiring as one of the state's longest-serving police commissioners.
In the same southwestern Sydney district where he worked as a detective in the 1980s, Mr Scipione was farewelled on Friday by an imposing guard of honour featuring mounted units, the dog squad, PolAir and dozens of senior officers.
Mr Scipione said it was the end of a near four-decade era for him.
"What an incredible journey it's been," he said at his final media conference as commissioner.
"It's been a marathon run at the pace of a sprint."
Mr Scipione, 59, praised his wife and family for providing him with unwavering support, but acknowledged his line of work meant the risk of alienating others.
"The time has come for me to stop and rebuild those bridges," he said.
Mr Scipione also modestly rejected credit for reducing various crime rates, saying it belonged to the cops on the beat.
"To the men and women of the NSW Police Force, thank you for letting me be one of you for 37 years," he said.
"I take my hat off to you, I walk in the shadow of heroes."
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state owed Mr Scipione a debt of gratitude.
"He's always been extremely professional, extremely humble and we are a better place because of his service," she said.
Police Minister Troy Grant, who served as a sergeant under Mr Scipione, paid tribute to the complex and diverse challenges the commissioner had faced in his 10-year term.
"The contribution over that time has been immense on so many levels," he said.
Mr Scipione was addressed on the police radio, where he was thanked on behalf of the entire force for his leadership.
"We wish you a long and happy retirement," the operator said.
"Cop One, do you copy?"
Mr Scipione replied: "Thank you radio, Cop One signing off."
He then gave a final salute and walked past a guard of honour to his wife, children and grandson.
Assistant Commissioner Mick Fuller will take over in the top job from Monday.
Mr Fuller has already outlined his intention to reform the force with a shake-up of the policing model for the first time in two decades.
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