<headline>Tree change - retiring chief to try his hand at woodwork</headline>

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/...066945976.html

<!--articleTools Top--> <byline>Jordan Baker Chief Police Reporter</byline>
<date>August 27, 2007</date>

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<!--articleExtras-wrap--> <bod> </bod>STUDENTS who plan to enrol in a TAFE carpentry course next year should behave themselves - they may find the former NSW police commissioner at the next desk.
Commissioner Ken Moroney - or "Uncle Ken" as he has been dubbed by some - will today begin his final week in the NSW Police Force's top job after five years.
On Friday, his last day, Mr Moroney will make a speech across police radio and be given a guard of honour from the police centre in the city. But to him, the most significant event will be the police graduation ceremony in Goulburn tomorrow when, as guest of honour, he will be the last to leave the ground.
His successor, Andrew Scipione, will take over from midnight on Friday. He will be sworn in after the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum.
Mr Moroney said he was looking forward to the next stage of his life, and would keep active. One priority is to improve his carpentry skills.
"It takes me an hour to work out how to get the drill out of the box," Mr Moroney said.
"One of the things I intend to do next year is to enrol in TAFE. I'd like to do something to do with carpentry, whether it's Breadboards 101.
"I certainly envy anybody who has that kind of talent and capacity, and can make things with their hands. I do believe you have to keep the cogs turning in the head."
Mr Moroney believes the NSW Police Force has recovered from the turmoil of the royal commission and resulting upheaval under his predecessor, Peter Ryan.
If the service was a patient in 1996, he said it was "quite ill".
"The patient had to have drastic surgery. But the patient did survive. And the patient is well."
Mr Moroney said the best sign of health was continued demand for jobs in the NSW Police.