Police officers recognised for commitment and service
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan and Commissioner Ian Stewart have congratulated Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers and staff who received medals and awards at a ceremony held at Police Headquarters in Brisbane today.
The ceremony included the 2016 Adopt-a-Cop awards, with the Adopt-a-Cop program involving the voluntary appointment of police officers to schools and other relevant organisations with the primary goal of building positive relationships between police and members of the school community.
The overall Adopt-a-Cop of the Year award went to Constable Stephen Armstrong from the Fernvale State School, where he has been instrumental in building police, school and community relations in a short period. His determined efforts in implementing programs and continued support have actively promoted the values and beliefs of both the school and the QPS.
Officers from each of the five regions were recognised, with Constable Armstrong nominated from the Southern Region.
Also awarded for his conscientious efforts was Senior Constable Wade Hastie from the Northern Region, for his consistent preparedness to achieve more than the role usually entails at the Ravenswood State School.
Inspector Grant Marcus received the award for his valuable work at St Luke’s Anglican School in the Central Region, where he has advocated a multitude of safety, education and counselling programs over his 15 years as an Adopt-a-Cop.
Senior Constable Troy Hews from the Brisbane Region received his regional award for the positive relationships he progressively developed with students at Oakleigh State School, at both a formal and in-formal level.
Constable Natalie Wilson received the Adopt-a-Cop for the South Eastern Region, where she works tirelessly at Boronia Heights State School to break down barriers that prevent positive relationships between students and the police.
Commissioner Stewart praised the efforts of all Adopt-a-Cops in schools around the state.
“The outstanding level of dedication pursued in volunteering for this program highlights the exemplary core values present in each of these officers,” Commissioner Stewart said.
“The contribution of Adopt-a-Cops is invaluable to the communities in which they serve and to the Service.”
Police Minister Ryan presented 20 past and present officers with the National Police Service Medal in acknowledgement of their commitment to ethical and diligent service. This award recognises the special status sworn police officers have because of their role protecting the community.
The National Medal recognises 15 years of diligent service by members of Australian police forces, defence forces, and members of the ambulance and fire services. Clasps to the National Medal are awarded for a further period of 10 years’ service.
Police Minister Ryan presented Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski, Deputy Commissioner Peter Martin, Detective Inspector John James, Detective Senior Sergeant Gary Pearce, Senior Sergeant Mark Ruggeri and Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Toohey with their 2nd Clasp of the National Medal acknowledging 35 years’ service, with a further nine officers receiving their first clasp for 25 years’ service, and 11 officers receiving the medal for the first time for 15 years of dedicated service.
Today’s ceremony also saw the Queensland Police Service Medal presented to a number of officers and staff members. The QPS Medal is an award approved by the Commissioner in recognition of diligent and ethical service by QPS employees after 10 years of full-time qualifying service.
Eight officers were awarded the Queensland Police Service Medal for the first time, with the medal awarded posthumously to the Late Detective Sergeant Leonard Hooper and the late Inspector James Walsh.
Commissioner Stewart presented Senior Sergeant John Goldsworthy with his 40 year clasp to the QPS Medal and Inspector Peter Assfalg and Ms Mary-Lou Webster with their clasps for 35 years of dedicated service.
Commissioner Stewart acknowledged the devotion and tireless effort of the ceremony’s award recipients.
“Through the duration of their careers each recipient has displayed exemplary attributes as a member of the Queensland Police Service,” Commissioner Stewart said.
“It is through these awards today that we acknowledge and thank them for their dedication and diligence.
The Queensland Police Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to a QPSmember who has provided a continued substantial contribution in a number of areas within the QPS over an extended period of time.
This medal was awarded to Ms Pamela Furner, an Administration Officer who has worked diligently with the Ethical Standards Command for 17 years. In this role, Ms Furner continually performs her duties to a very high standard, assisting investigating officers and senior members of the Command on a daily basis.
