PLEASE NOTE: Images of the recipients are available at the Hightail link https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/xgQ5FxDKTm/dXMtNjgyNGE3ZjUtZDAzMS00Njg1LWJmMDItZWRjYzU3YWM4M2Vh An image of Sergeant Samuel is available upon request from the NSW Police Media Unit on [email protected]
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 this year's 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 a year, on Australia Day and the Queen's Birthday in June.
The NSW Police Force APM recipients include:
Detective Superintendent Jonathan Andrew Beard
Detective Superintendent Paul Andrew Smith
Chief Inspector Joseph Anthony McNulty
Chief Inspector Peter Francis Volf
Inspector Gary John Coffey
Sergeant Brett Raymond Samuel
Sergeant Lisa Marie Green
Sergeant Scott David Weber
Civilian employee, and Executive Assistant for the NSW Police Academy, Lisa Gardner, has also been recognised for her outstanding service to the NSW Police Force and will be awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM).
Commissioner Fuller said the awards reflect the years of service each employee has dedicated to the NSWPF and the people of NSW.
"Each year, we recognise a handful of employees for their exceptional careers with the NSW Police Force, where they have displayed not only professionalism and high-quality work, but passion and commitment," Commissioner Fuller said.
"Along with their families and the community, and the entire organisation, I am proud to have recommended each of the recipients for the Australian Police Medal.
"I am grateful and honoured that these men and women work for the NSW Police Force and thank them for their ongoing contribution to policing," Commissioner Fuller said.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott MP, acknowledged the officers who have been recognised for their outstanding service as part of the Australia Day Honours.
"These eight police officers and the civilian staff member are a credit to the Force. Today's awards acknowledge the dedication they have displayed throughout their careers in serving the community," Minister Elliott said.
"I am immensely proud to be able to acknowledge their achievements as Police Minister during this significant time," he said.
AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL RECIPIENTS
Detective Superintendent Jonathan Andrew Beard
Detective Superintendent Jonathan Beard began his career with the NSW Police Force in 1988 as a general duties officer with the Waterloo Patrol. He then served with criminal investigations at Sydney District Anti-Theft, at the Sydney Special Operations Group, and at Kings Cross Detective Office. In 1994, he was awarded the NSW Police Force Valour Award for bravery.
In 1996, he transferred to the Child Protection Investigation Team, and later to the Organised Crime Branch and Crime Agencies. Between 1999 and 2002, he was an instrumental member of the establishment team for the Firearms Trafficking Command, and the Casino Investigation Squad.
He was promoted to Sergeant in 2002 and served in a range of State Crime squads before being promoted to the rank of Inspector in 2004 and continuing his investigation duties. In 2008, he was instrumental in the establishment of the NSW Police Force Organised Crime Targeting Squad.
In 2013, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent in the role of Staff Officer to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Corporate Services. He has since commanded the Coordinated Response Unit, Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command, and the Capability and Protective Security Group, also within the Counter Terrorism Command. In 2018, he transferred to his current role in the Professional Standards Command.
Detective Superintendent Beard is an accomplished Police Commander with dedicated and exemplary police service to the people of New South Wales for over 30 years.
Detective Superintendent Paul Andrew Smith
Detective Superintendent Paul Smith joined the NSW Police Force in 1987 and was initially posted to Albury Police Station.
He has performed general duties and criminal investigation at Albury, Mulwala, Dareton, Hay, Deniliquin, Barham, Broken Hill and Griffith. He is recognised for his leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to community and policing programs. He has also demonstrated decisive leadership and personal initiative in developing solid professional relations with Indigenous leaders, parliamentary representatives and communities.
He has successfully implemented the structural development of the Barrier Police District. During his time as the Barrier District Commander, he implemented an officer-in-charge model for remote police stations, which established consistent leadership at the inspector-level and stronger community ties. He worked diligently with other police and the community and saw exceptional success with the model, particularly in Wilcannia. He has also developed stronger engagement with the Tri-State jurisdictional police organisations.
In early 2020, he transferred to the Murray River Police District (Albury), where he has been instrumental as the Forward Commander in establishing the New South Wales/Victoria border closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic Health Orders.
Detective Superintendent Smith is an accomplished Police Commander who has demonstrated dedicated and exemplary police service to the NSW Police Force, and to the community, particularly in rural and regional areas of the state, for over 33 years.
Chief Inspector Joseph Anthony McNulty
Chief Inspector Joseph McNulty joined the NSW Police Force in 1988 and was initially posted to Pennant Hills Police Station performing general duties. In 1991, he transferred to the Sydney Water Police and has been attached to the Marine Area Command since that time.
He is regarded as a highly qualified and experienced officer at the Marine Area Command and is considered a subject matter expert in maritime law enforcement. He has participated in many dangerous offshore rescue operations and is the NSW Police Force's point of contact for all maritime and drug interdiction operations by water.
He is highly skilled in drug smuggling interceptions; and his knowledge of drug trafficking in the marine environment is unparalleled. His ability to accurately evaluate intelligence and provide guidance and tactical advice has led to many successful operations. Most recently he played a major role in the evacuation of all cruise ships from New South Wales waters as a result of the risk they proposed due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
He has continually demonstrated his dedication to the Marine Area Command and policing in the marine environment.
Chief Inspector McNulty is an accomplished police officer who has demonstrated dedicated and exemplary service to the NSW Police Force, and to the people of New South Wales, for over 32 years.
Chief Inspector Peter Francis Volf
Chief Inspector Peter Volf joined the NSW Police Force in 1984 and was first posted to the Redfern Police Station before transferring to Eden in 1985 as a general duties officer and part-time officer with the Water Police.
In 1992, he transferred to Bega, and then in 1996 to Condobolin, where he performed supervisory duties prior to his promotion to the rank of Sergeant in 1997 and return to the South Coast of NSW at the Moruya Police Station.
In August 2000, he was promoted to the rank of Inspector as a Duty Officer attached to the Far South Coast; and continues his duties as the Officer in Charge (OIC) at Bega Police Station. He has received significant praise for his leadership, mentoring and encouragement of his staff and Command, and is widely acknowledged as a role model in professional policing practice.
He is especially acknowledged for his performance and leadership during the devastating Tathra bushfire disaster in 2018 and in the 2019-2020 bushfires on the Far South Coast, where his work as a Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) assisting the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley Emergency Operation Centres - and subsequent involvement with government and community representatives in the recovery period - exemplifies his skill and community relationship building.
Chief Inspector Volf is an accomplished Police Commander who has provided dedicated and exemplary service to the New South Wales Police Force and the community for over 36 years.
Inspector Gary John Coffey
Inspector Gary Coffey joined the NSW Police Force in 1996 and was initially posted to the Parramatta Local Area Command before transferring to Castle Hill as a general duties officer. He transferred to Leichhardt in 1998 and has worked at Flemington and Botany Bay.
The entirety of his career has been in field operations, and he is recognised by his peers for his outstanding commitment to the policing profession and the passion he instils in all who work alongside him. Throughout numerous operational deployments he has tirelessly worked to support disadvantaged members of the community and ensure community safety and crime prevention are key elements in police interactions and engagement.
He is recognised as a role model for the new and emerging generation of police officers and strives for the greater vision of the organisation. He is recognised as a skilled practitioner within the emergency management and public order space. In 2017, he was awarded a commendation from the Commissioner of Fire & Rescue NSW for displaying outstanding post-incident cooperation after three people died in a deliberately lit convenience store fire in Rozelle.
He is also a qualified solicitor and shares his experience, to develop the professionalism and ability of those in his charge in investigating crimes and prosecuting offences within the judicial system. In recent times, his work in the management of protest activity within the City of Sydney has received recognition from government, from police at executive levels, and from the community.
Inspector Coffey is an accomplished leader in the NSWPF, with dedicated and exemplary police service to the people of New South Wales, for over 24 years.
Sergeant Brett Raymond Samuel
Sergeant Brett Samuel joined the NSW Police Force as a trainee in 1982, commencing general duties at the No 12 Division (Kogarah) before working at the Rockdale Police Station. In 1991, he undertook duties in the South Region as a Traffic Coordinator and then in Accident Investigation.
He has continued these duties at the South Region, the Georges River Region, Kingsgrove; and since 2000 with the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit. During his career he has gained significant experience, having attended in excess of 280 fatal motor vehicle crashes. He has completed numerous external and internationally recognised courses in Road Safety Investigation, Vehicle Collision Dynamics, At Scene Traffic Crash/Traffic Homicide Investigations, Crash Data Retrieval and Road Safety Auditing.
His qualifications and years of experience have enhanced the NSW Police Force's investigative functions, evidence gathering techniques, and evidence production in courts. He is widely acknowledged for his exceptional expertise and leadership in the field of crash investigation; and as a highly experienced and effective subject matter expert.
Sergeant Samuel is an accomplished police officer who has demonstrated dedicated and exemplary police service to the NSW Police Force, and to the community, for over 38 years.
Sergeant Lisa Marie Green
Sergeant Lisa Green joined the NSW Police Force as a Probationary Constable in 1985 at Central Police Station, later performing general policing duties at Randwick and Engadine, before joining Police Prosecutions in 1997.
Having commenced her career as a Police Prosecutor and qualified Legal Practitioner, she has devoted the majority of her service prosecuting in the courts, and in the difficult area of legal advice for Covert Applications. She has specialised in drafting Controlled Operations and, more recently, Surveillance Device Warrant applications in support of covert policing operations.
Her expertise in controlled operation is sought by police commands across the state, as has the training she provides to hundreds of operational police, including Region Enforcement Squads, Detectives and Undercover Operatives.
She was vital to the development of the Principal Law Enforcement Officers Course, and has contributed to the Drug Crime, Human Source and Detective Training Courses. She is also the NSW Police Force's subject matter expert in Controlled Operation Authorities and Surveillance Device Applications.
Sergeant Green is an accomplished police officer with dedicated and exemplary police service to the people of New South Wales for over 35 years.
Sergeant Scott David Weber
Sergeant Scott Weber joined the NSW Police Force in 1994, beginning his policing career at the Ashfield Police Station; and was active in regional, state and national operations as a member of the Operational Support Group. In 2006, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant as general duties team leader at Marrickville.
In 2000, he was elected as an Executive Member of the Police Association of NSW, and as Vice President in 2004, a position he held until 2010. He was elected as the President of the Association in 2010 and served in that role for eight years. In 2018, he was appointed CEO of the Police Federation of Australia, representing in excess of 64,000 police officers nationally.
His advocacy for the policing profession has been demonstrated in many important and successful industrial, social and health/wellbeing campaigns, including the Last Drinks Campaign; the review of police oversight in NSW; Women in Policing; and Women's Activism, Workplace Safety, Award Negotiations and police physical and mental health wellbeing.
As CEO of the Police Federation of Australia, he is responsible for coordinating the national activities of all the policing jurisdictions, unions and associations. He has taken responsibility for the current $1 million Federally funded Proceeds of Crime Account Campaign for police mental health and wellbeing.
Sergeant Weber has brought great credit to the profession of policing through his dedicated and exemplary service to the New South Wales Police Force, and to the community, for over 26 years.
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL RECIPIENT
Lisa Gardner - Executive Assistant for the Principal, NSW Police Academy
Lisa Gardner joined the NSW Police force in 1997 and in this time, has established herself as a pivotal member of the police recruit training space - assisting in the management and training of over 21,000 police recruits/ students.
Ms Gardner is passionate about providing exceptional customer service and upholding the reputation of the NSW Police Academy. She has performed work to support the enhancement of the curriculum, recruitment, campus management and facilities, staff management and program coordination.
Ms Gardner is integral to the planning and coordination of attestation parades, having overseen 60 attestations. This includes coordinating a small team to look after all elements of the event encompassing VIP guest and official party attendance, booklets, band, security, catering and so on.
Ms Gardner was instrumental in the major restructure of the Associate Degree in Policing Practice (the recruit training program) at Charles Sturt University. She also successfully implemented a paperless correspondence system within the Academy.
In 2018, Lisa was recognised by the NSW Police Force as 'Employee of the Year' in the annual Rotary Police Officer of the Year Awards. She prides herself on providing the highest level of care to staff and students and is known for going above and beyond to create a friendly, comfortable and hospitable environment at the Academy.
Ms Gardner has also volunteered her time to assist the bushfire emergency response, deployed to Bega where she performed a number of lengthy shifts in the Emergency Operations Centre as scribe and logistics support. She went on to provide invaluable support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
GROUP IMAGE: L to R [Back row] Inspector Gary John Coffey, Chief Inspector Joseph Anthony McNulty, Detective Superintendent Jonathan Andrew Beard, Sergeant Scott David Weber, Detective Superintendent Paul Andrew Smith, Chief Inspector Peter Francis Volf
L to R [Front row] Lisa Gardner, NSW Police Force Commissioner, Michael Fuller, Sergeant Lisa Marie Green
Not pictured Sergeant Brett Raymond Samuel
