"Pillars of policing."
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That is how Western Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie described long-serving and outstanding police officers who were recognised at an awards ceremony in Dubbo yesterday.
Also addressing the assembled audience of colleagues, family and friends was Orana Local Area Command Superintendent Stan Single, in one of his last official engagements before he retires from the NSW Police Force.
Superintendent Single said medal and award ceremonies were an important way to recognise the work police did and the support their families provided.
"Those who achieve long service and have done extraordinary things, the various acts of heroism and bravery, the good stuff that police do every day and the families that support our people, we can't do without that support," he said.
"We take your husbands and wives away and put them under stressful situations. Police work in an environment where we see the dark side of human life all the time. We take it in our stride but here is an opportunity for the community to show our appreciation."
Superintendent Single was himself an award recipient, presented with the sixth clasp to the NSW Police Medal.
Superintendent Single, who became a police officer in 1971, was recognised for more than 40 years' service in number 3, 20 and 28 divisions, Newtown, Balmain, Wilsons Valley, Lightning Ridge, Wilcannia, Port Macquarie, Mudgee, Tweed/Byron, Walgett and Dubbo.
Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie also presented Superintendent Single with a Western Region Commendation to recognise his many years of policing in western NSW.
"He has implemented and fostered many programs aimed at improving the relationship between police and indigenous communities, focusing particularly on the development of young people," he said.
"Superintendent Single has been an example to countless officers of what can be achieved through community engagement and traditional policing values. He has mentored and encouraged senior police officers and been a loyal and valued colleague."
Dubbo-based Western Region Professional Standards Manager Detective Inspector Terry Nash received a Commissioner's Unit Citation in recognition of outstanding service and devotion to duty as a part of Task Force Gap, established in 1994 to investigate the murder of Cabramatta MP John Newman.
Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said the task force was, at the time, a highly-politicised initiative, and much pressure was placed on the officers who were part of it.
"The people involved in that investigation have been subject to a lot of scrutiny over the many years (to follow)," he said.
"They've come through it and are an example of the professionalism and what can be achieved through perserverance... it's taken a long while to recognise but it's very highly regarded."
Inspector Alan Cusack and Senior Constable Nita Morris were recipients of the National Police Service Medal, recognizing at least 15 years of police service in addition to the existing National Medal for long service.
Inspector Cusack, who is a Dubbo-based duty officer with the Orana Local Area Command, joined the NSW Police Force in 1979 and served at locations including Dee Why, Frenchs Forest, Boomi, Nundle, Brewarrina, Wellington and Bourke.
Senior Constable Morris, who became a police officer in 1981, served at Bega and Moree prior to becoming an Orana Highway Patrol Officer based in Dubbo.
Gilgandra-based general duties officer Senior Constable Bernard Austin was presented with the first clasp to the National Medal recognizing 25 years' service.
He joined the NSW Police Force in 2001 and was stationed in Campbelltown and Macquarie Fields before Gilgandra.
Certificates of Commission were presented to Dubbo-based duty officer Inspector Brad Johnston and Inspector Susan Johnston, who is based at the Western Region Office in Dubbo.
Both were promoted to the rank of Inspector last year.
Sergeant Scott Bolton, a Western Region project officer, was presented with a Warrant as a Non-Commissioned Officer after he was promoted to Sergeant earlier this year.