It's a day where rank among officers has no meaning as policemen and women gather to remember those who have died in the line of duty and through injury or illness.
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Across the state officers and their families gathered on Friday to mark National Police Remembrance Day with NSW Commissioner Mick Fuller saying it served as a timely reminder of the very real dangers that come with the oath to protect the community.
More than 270 members of NSW Police have lost their lives in the line of duty since the formation of the force in 1862.
"We put our lives on the line for the community 24/7 right across Australia and some individuals pay the ultimate sacrifice for that," Mr Fuller told reporters following Friday's service at the Domain in Sydney.
"Some go on after their career and suffer demons mentally and unfortunately we know they take their lives."
The day also remembers 102 members of the police force - sworn and unsworn - who took their own lives or who were unable to continue working because of injury and illness and died.
That figure includes 12 names added in 2018.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian encouraged officers and their families to reach out if they needed help.
"Especially in relation to mental health," she said at the service.
Australian Associated Press
