Eleven retiring members of the Beverly Hills Police Department were honored during a flag ceremony Wednesday for serving more than 350 years combined on the city’s force.  “I’m sad I won’t be seeing the same people every day,” Det. James Greene said. “It’s been like a family for 29 years.” A 33-year BHPD veteran, Motor Officer Thomas Gates has spent 27 of those years with the city’s traffic unit.  “The department has treated us with such respect,” Gates said. “I started at 19 as a cadet and then made it to the motor squad. It’s been a good ride.”  Det. Sgt. Michael Corren has the longest tenure of any sergeant in the city’s detective bureau at 26 years. He started with the BHPD as a jailer in 1975.  “The police department has been my family and life for 36 years,” Corren said.  Tears were shed and hugs were given as younger officers said goodbye to their mentors: Capt. Edward Kreins—Investigative Services Division, 31 years Det. Sgt. Michael Corren—Detectives, 36 years Sgt. Richard Knudsen—Special Projects, 33 years Sgt. David Perez—Special Tactics Unit, 28 years Det. Albert Lightfoot—Detectives, 38 years Motor Officer Paul Kramer—Traffic, 35 years Officer Ronald Derderian—Special Projects, 35 years Det. Russell Sharp—Detectives, 33 years Motor Officer Thomas Gates—Traffic, 33 years Officer Andrew Serrao—Special Projects, 29 years Det. James Greene—Detectives, 29 years “How many years have these men worked? Add that up,” Police Chief David Snowden said. “That’s the number of years of knowledge, experience and brain trust that the force is losing.”  Be sure to follow Beverly Hills Patch on  Twitter  and “Like” us on  Facebook Originally posted here: Officers Bid the BHPD Farewell