NSW Police Force Commissioner, Michael Fuller APM, and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott MP, have congratulated nine NSW Police Force employees who have been recognised for their outstanding service as part of the Australia Day Honours.
Eight NSW Police Force officers have been awarded the prestigious Australian Police Medal (APM). The award was established in 1986 and is now announced twice each year, on Australia Day and the Queen's Birthday in June.
The NSW Police Force APM recipients include:
- Detective Superintendent Anthony Cooke
- Detective Superintendent David Darcy
- Detective Superintendent Gavin Wood
- Detective Superintendent Kerrie Lewis
- Detective Superintendent Peter Mckenna
- Superintendent Daniel Sullivan
- Detective Chief Inspector Robert Allison
- Sergeant John Rayment
Civilian employee and Director of PoliceLink Command, Mr Christopher Beatson, has also been recognised for his outstanding service to the NSW Police Force and will be awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM).
Commissioner Fuller said the employees receiving the awards today have dedicated their careers to serving and protecting the community of NSW.
"These awards recognise the dedication, professionalism and long-serving commitment each of these employees have displayed during their careers within the NSW Police Force," Commissioner Fuller said.
"Along with the entire organisation, their families and the community, I am extremely proud of each award recipient and am grateful for their ongoing contribution to policing.
"They are a credit to the NSW Police Force and should feel honoured to be recognised in such a significant way," Commissioner Fuller said.
AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL RECIPIENTS
Detective Superintendent Anthony Cooke – St George Police Area Commander
Detective Superintendent Anthony Cooke joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and was stationed at No 13 Division. Entering plain clothes duties at Chatswood in 1990, he transferred five years later to the Major Crime Squad North (Drug Squad) and then later to Homicide and Serial Violent Crime Agency in 1998.
In 2000, Detective Superintendent Cooke was promoted to Chief Inspector at Campsie Local Area Command, before returning to investigative duties in command of the Metropolitan Robbery Unit in 2005. In 2006, he transferred to Auburn Local Area Command as Crime Manager and in 2007, he commenced relieving duties as the Commander until 2008. One year later, Detective Superintendent Cooke was promoted to the rank of Superintendent as the Drug and Alcohol Coordination (DAC) Commander.
In 2010, he was transferred to the role of Operations Manager at the Central Metropolitan Region, before returning to specialist investigative duties at the State Crime Command's Drug Squad in 2014. Four years later, he transferred to the Organised Crime Squad, where he continued specialist investigative duties before transferring to St George Police Area Command as Commander, where he remains.
During his career, Detective Superintendent Cooke was designated as a detective in 1995, achieving first place in the Detectives Course and awarded the Detectives Medal. At DAC, he was instrumental in development and implementation of Schedule 4 to the Liquor Act dealing with the 'Violent Venues Scheme'. That work continued as Operations Manager at Central Metropolitan Region including ongoing negotiation with Government and industry which delivered amendments to the Scheme and led to ongoing development and implementation of such initiatives as the Kings Cross and Sydney Liquor Precincts. During that period, Detective Superintendent Cooke also took up the position of Chair of the National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund (NDLERF).
Detective Superintendent Cooke is an accomplished Police Commander and has performed his duties for 33 years with outstanding dedication, service, diligence and integrity.
Detective Superintendent David Darcy – Northern Beaches Police Area Commander
Detective Superintendent David Darcy joined the NSW Police Force in 1983 and was confirmed as a Constable at Chatswood Police Station. He continued performing General Duties until 1985, when he transferred into criminal investigation roles on the Central Coast of NSW until 1993, when he transferred into the Policy Programme Unit. Promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1995 at the Kings Cross Police Station in General Duties, Detective Superintendent Darcy was quickly recognised for his work ethic and integrity when in 1996, he was transferred into an Executive support role during the NSW Royal Commission into Police Corruption and then later in his career, to command the Commissioner's Executive Support Group.
In 1999, Detective Superintendent Darcy was promoted to the rank of Inspector at The Hills Local Area Command and within a short time was transferred to lead the City East Target Action Group and Anti-Theft Unit. In 2002, he was promoted to his current rank of Superintendent. Detective Superintendent Darcy has been an operational Superintendent for approximately 17 years as Commander of Kings Cross from 2002, Bankstown from 2005 and Manly from 2008 – where he remains as Commander of Northern Beaches Police Area Command.
Detective Superintendent Darcy dedicates considerable personal time to serve the community, attending events including citizen ceremonies, local and state government engagements, school forums, chamber of commerce meetings, and is heavily focused in suicide prevention.
Detective Superintendent Darcy is an accomplished Police Commander and has performed his duties for 37 years with outstanding dedication, service, diligence and integrity.
Detective Superintendent Gavin Wood – Sydney City Police Area Commander
Detective Superintendent Gavin Wood joined the NSW Police Force in 1989 and was confirmed as a Constable at Darling Harbour Police Station. He continued in general duties until 1992 when transferred to Kings Cross Police Station and commenced a career in criminal investigation.
In November 2000, Detective Superintendent Wood was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant at Eastern Suburbs Local Area Command, where he was involved in the supervision of criminal investigations until 2003, when he was promoted to the rank of Inspector. Four years later, he performed the role of Commander at the Surry Hills Regional Enforcement Squad (RES), before being transferred to the Southern Region Command as Staff Officer for then Assistant Commissioner Michael Fuller in 2010.
In 2012, Detective Superintendent Wood transferred to the State Crime Command Gangs Squad and performed the role of Investigations Co-ordinator until 2017. In November 2017, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent and performed the role of Commander at Surry Hills Police Area Command since that time, until 2019 when he was appointed as Commander of Sydney City Police Area Command.
In 2002, Detective Superintendent Wood received recognition of his investigative skills and devotion to duty in Strike Force Massat (1998-99), which investigated an international credit card fraud syndicate resulting in the arrest of 35 people. In 2012, he was commended for his involvement in Strike Force Kinnara – the investigation into various public place shootings and arson attacks between rival OMCG gangs. In 2015, he was awarded the Robert Faulkner Memorial Award for outstanding International investigation in Laughlin, Nevada., relating to large scale supply involving organised crime. He has also received a Commissioner's Commendation for Community Service relating to fund raising for charity.
Superintendent Gavin Kendall Wood is an accomplished Police Commander and has performed his duties for 30 years with outstanding dedication, service, diligence and integrity.
Detective Superintendent Kerrie Lewis – Campsie Police Area Commander
Detective Superintendent Kerrie Lewis joined the NSW Police Force in 1984 and was confirmed as a Constable at Parramatta Police Station. She continued performing general duties until 1988, when she commenced a career in major criminal investigation in the North West Major Crime Squad (Organised Crime and Homicide Units).
Detective Superintendent Lewis was commended for her involvement in leading several high-profile murder investigations between 1991 and 1995 and received several complimentary remarks and Commander's commendations for duties performed during that period.
Between 1996 and 2009, Detective Superintendent Lewis transferred through several police stations in Regional NSW including Broken Hill and Wagga Wagga Police. In 2002, she was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant, performing the role of Team Leader in the township of Wagga Wagga investigating child abuse offences. Four years later, she was promoted to the rank of Inspector at Wagga Wagga, before transferring to the Professional Standards Command (PSC) Investigations Unit in 2009.
Detective Superintendent Lewis performed the role of Manager PSC Field Services and the PSC Internal Witness Support Unit during the period 2009 and 2014. She was promoted to her current rank in 2014 to the role of PSC Investigations Commander. In May 2018, Detective Superintendent Lewis transferred to her current role as Campsie Police Area Commander.
Detective Superintendent Lewis is an accomplished Police Commander and has performed her duties for 35 years with outstanding dedication, service, diligence and integrity.
Detective Superintendent Peter Mckenna – Orana Mid Western Police District Commander
Detective Superintendent Peter Mckenna joined the NSW Police Force in 1990 and was confirmed as a Constable at Castle Hill Police Station. In 1992, Detective Superintendent Mckenna successfully applied for a position in the Parramatta District Anti-Theft Unit, before transferring to Lismore Police Station in 1994.
In 1997, Detective Superintendent Mckenna commenced a career in criminal investigations in the Northern Region of NSW, where in 2002, he was promoted to Detective Sergeant at Forster Police Station. In 2006, Superintendent Mckenna was promoted to the rank of Inspector in the same area of Manning/Great Lakes. In 2017 he was promoted to his current rank and position at Orana Mid Western Police District.
Detective Superintendent Mckenna has significant operational experience across metropolitan and regional NSW and across major criminal investigations. During his career, he has consistently achieved high academic results and was awarded the Detective Medallion (1st place) in the Detectives Education Program. Detective Superintendent Mckenna's list of achievements include the hunt for Malcolm Naden under Strike Force Durkin, the targeting of outlaws motorcycle gangs (OMCG) under Operation Garwi, and instigation of Operation Twigg, which led to the arrest of hundreds of offenders on the Child Protection Register.
Detective Superintendent Peter Mckenna is an accomplished Police Commander and has performed his duties for 29 years with outstanding dedication, service, diligence and integrity.
Superintendent Daniel Sullivan – Lake Macquarie Police District Commander
Superintendent Daniel Sullivan joined the NSW Police Force in 1989 and was confirmed as a Constable at Waverly Police Station. He transferred into prosecutions in 1993, serving at both the South Region and North Region Prosecutor's Office until 2000, when he was transferred to the Hunter Target Action Group as Team Leader.
Superintendent Sullivan remained in the Hunter Valley, performing the role of Sergeant in general duties until 2003, before being promoted to the rank of Inspector at the Police Assistance Line (PAL) in Tuggerah. Superintendent Sullivan continued his career in communications and technology and was promoted in 2007 as General Manager of the Business Technical Services Client Services Command and then as Commander of the Radio Operations Unit at the Sydney Police Centre.
In 2012, Superintendent Sullivan was transferred to Brisbane Water Local Area Command as Commander and then in 2017 to Lake Macquarie Police District as Commander, where he remains.
During his career, Superintendent Sullivan has successfully developed and implemented strategic reform for numerous commands which have led to significant improvements. The NSW Police Force have repeatedly called upon his leadership and advocacy skills on key steering committees and boards including Emergency Services CAD Steering committee, mobile technology steering committee and CrimTrac National Police Reference System Board.
Superintendent Daniel Edward Sullivan is an accomplished Police Commander and has performed his duties for 30 years with outstanding dedication, service, diligence and integrity.
Detective Chief Inspector Robert Allison – St George Police Area Command, Crime Manager
Detective Chief Inspector Robert Allison joined the NSW Police Force in 1984 and was confirmed as a Constable at Darlinghurst Police Station. In 1987, he commenced his career in criminal investigation at Kings Cross Police Station. In 1991, Detective Chief Inspector Allison's abilities were acknowledged when he was selected to perform duties at the South Region Major Crime Squad's Arson Unit.
In 1994, he was selected and transferred to the Homicide Unit Major Crime Squad South, where he quickly established himself as an outstanding homicide investigator. Detective Chief Inspector Allison investigated and solved several high-profile murders including that of NSW Police officers, Constable Peter Forsyth VA, Senior Constable Jim Affleck VA, and Constable Glenn McEnallay VA. The dedication and professional he displayed during those investigations have been formally recognised through numerous awards and commendations.
In 2008, Detective Chief Inspector Allison returned to Kings Cross Police Station, where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Three years later, he was recruited to establish the Unsolved Homicide Unit, where he implemented practices and procedures that are still current to this day.
In 2011, he was promoted to the rank of Inspector at Kings Cross Police Station, where he initially performed the role of Duty Officer, before moving into the Crime Manager role. Detective Chief Inspector Allison is currently the Crime Manager at St George Police Area Command, a position he has held since the beginning of 2019.
Detective Chief Inspector Allison is an accomplished senior police officer and has performed his duties for 35 years with outstanding dedication, service, diligence and integrity.
Sergeant John Rayment – Burwood Police Area Command, Supervisor
Sergeant John Rayment joined the NSW Police Force in 1979 and was stationed at No.8 Division. He performed general duties before transferring into the District Anti-Theft team and Special Operation Group around the Sydney Central Business District.
During this time, Sergeant Rayment educated, trained and mentored countless junior officers and was the recipient of numerous awards for recognition of good police work. He was commended for his outstanding performance and results, including the arrest of 200 offenders and the preferment of 434 charges in 1990.
Sergeant Rayment attained his current rank of Sergeant in 2001 at Surry Hills Local Area Command. He transferred to Ashfield Local Area Command in 2006 where, as supervisor, he once again led, inspired and mentored officers in the field, often having higher proactive statistics than the junior officers he supervised. This level of performance continued during his service at Ashfield and Burwood Police Commands.
During his career, Sergeant Rayment received a Commissioner's Commendation for Courage for the apprehension of two armed offenders at Chippendale in 1985. Sergeant Rayment also received a Commissioner's Commendation for Courage for the arrest of an armed and dangerous offender in 1993. In 1994, Sergeant Rayment was commended for his performance and initiative in the arrest of an armed offender, who was subsequently charged with numerous armed robbery offences in the Petersham area.
Sergeant John Rayment is an accomplished police officer and has performed his duties for 41 years with outstanding dedication, service, diligence and integrity.
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL RECIPIENT
Mr Christopher Beatson – Director of PoliceLink Command
Mr Christopher Beatson joined the NSW Police Force in 2001 as Director of PoliceLink Command. His strategic vision and leadership has led to significant growth within the Command, including the expansion of service provided to the community of NSW and the organisation – currently resolving 1.5 million customer contacts every year. During his service, Mr Beatson has been involved in the National Emergency Communications Working Group (NECWG), facilitating greater inter-agency co-operation and further enhancing the safety and security of the command.
Mr Beatson has also been instrumental in the creation and implementation of the NSW Police Force community portal, which allows the public to lodge police reports online. This portal has 255,000 registered users and more than 50,000 police reports have been lodged through the portal since its inception in June 2016.
Mr Beatson was awarded Crime Stoppers International Civilian of the Year Award (2014) and also represents the NSW Police Force on several committees and boards including;
- Emergency Call Service Advisory Committee (ECSAC)
- Interagency Computer Electronic Messaging System (ICEMS)
- Telecommunications Services Functional Area (TELCOFAC)
- NSW Crime Stoppers Board
