Eight NSW Police Force officers and one civilian employee have been recognised as part of the Australia Day Honours List.
Acting Commissioner Gary Worboys APM extended his congratulations to the nine recipients whose collective policing experience covered from administrative, crime scene, general duties, road policing, investigations and public order management.
"This award recognises the important and valued contribution officers make to their local communities every day," A/Commissioner Worboys said.
"Combined, the recipients bring 299 years of service to the people of NSW. This is volumes of knowledge, experience and professionalism serving the people of NSW.
"Policing is a unique career, whether you're a sworn officer or a civilian employee, you are exposed to the best and worst situations imaginable and this award is recognition of that selfless duty to service.
"I would encourage today's nominees to look upon their nominations as a thank you, not just from the communities you serve so diligently, but the entire state," A/Commissioner Worboys said.
The Australian Police Medal (APM) recipients are:
- Sergeant Phillip Elliott
- Chief Inspector Paul Fownes, OAM
- Detective Superintendent Darren Bennett
- Detective Superintendent Kenneth Finch
- Superintendent David Johnson
- Superintendent Dean Smith
- Chief Superintendent Scott Whyte
- Assistant Commissioner Gelina Talbot
Ms Roslyn Lang, Local Area Manager of the Mid North Coast Police District, has been awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM).
AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL -
Sergeant Phillip Joseph Elliott – Crime Scene Command - Sergeant Phillip Elliott joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and confirmed as a Constable at the Mona Vale Police Station. Sergeant Elliott performed general duty roles in the Chatswood area until 1990 where he transferred to the Crime Scene Unit. Sergeant Elliott is the most experience operational forensic supervisor in New South Wales. He has attended countless crime scenes including the Rozelle building explosion (2014).
As a qualified Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Co-ordinator, Sergeant Elliott has been tasked to many high-profile crime and disaster incidents including the 1996 Port Arthur shootings in Tasmania, the 2005 Indian Ocean Tsunami in Thailand and in 2006, Sergeant Elliott travelled to Baghdad, Iraq as part of a NSWPF team to investigate the shooting death of Australian Defence Force Member Private Jake Kovco. Further noteworthy forensic investigations include the bushfires in the Wentworth Falls and Casula areas and leading a team of forensic investigators into the Quakers Hill Nursing Home Fire.
Chief Inspector Paul Philip Fownes OAM – Traffic and Highway Patrol Command - Chief Inspector Paul Phillip Fownes joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and was confirmed as a Constable of Police at the Maroubra Police Station. Chief Inspector Fownes spent a considerable period in General Duties in the eastern parts of Sydney from 1987 to 1996, predominantly at Maroubra. In 1996, Chief Inspector Fownes transferred into the Highway Patrol Command initially at Maroubra and then similar duties in the City CBD where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1999. He then transferred to Botany Bay Local Area Command where he continued in the Highway Patrol Command as a Supervisor. Chief Inspector Fownes has a long and extinguished service in community engagements in the Maroubra area. In particular, during the aftermath of the Cronulla Riots in 2005 and also driver education programs he developed and facilitated with the Eastern Suburbs PCYC.
Chief Inspector Fownes was a key presenter on Traffic Offender Programs in the Eastern Beaches area and an avid Life Saving Club member at the Maroubra Surf Club.
In 2012, Chief Inspector Fownes became the Region Traffic Tactician for the Central Metropolitan Highway Patrol Command. A position which Chief Inspector Fownes still holds. Chief Inspector Fownes was instrumental in the development and ongoing review of the NSW Police Force operating procedures on the Emergency Medical Transfer
Detective Superintendent Darren Murray Bennett - Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Coammand - Detective Superintendent Darren Bennett joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and confirmed as a Constable at the Wagga Wagga Patrol. Superintendent Bennett then transferred to the Kings Cross Patrol and into his chosen career path of criminal investigation. In his role as Commander of the Terrorism Investigation Unit, Superintendent Bennett has played integral roles in the following high-profile Counter Terrorism related operations; Operation Appleby where he received a Commissioners (AFP) Group Citation. Operation Chillion – foiled an attack at Parramatta Westfields, Operation Castrum – arrests of individuals in acts of preparation for, or planning a terrorist act and further operations relating to alleged plots of terror including the Curtis Cheng murder in 2015.
He currently holds the role of National Counter Terrorism Investigations Capability Advisor and has completed the Leadership in Counter Terrorism Program. Superintendent Bennett developed the ANZCTC Multi-Jurisdictional Preventative CT Investigation Protocol and is currently the Co-Ordinator of Exercise Northern Harrier, the Senior Executive Protocol training into multi-agency response to terrorism incidents.
Detective Superintendent Kenneth James Finch – State Intelligence Command - Detective Superintendent Kenneth James Finch joined the NSW Police Force as a cadet in 1977 and confirmed as a Constable of Police at the Chatswood Police Station. Superintendent Finch is one of the longest serving officers at the rank of Superintendent. He has had a long and distinguished career in criminal investigation in the State Crime Command leading Licensing, Firearms and Organised Crime squads. Superintendent Finch was a Police Prosecutor from 1990-1997 when he was promoted to the rank of Inspector in the role of Duty Officer in the Wagga Wagga Local Area Command until 2000. Since being promoted to Superintendent in 2000, he has been the commander of areas such as Griffith, Investigations Unit, Professional Standards Command, Newtown and The Rocks. Superintendent Finch has continued in Commander roles in the State Crime Command as the Director of the Organised Crime Directorate where he successfully managed the operational activities and administration of all 6 Organised Crime Squads.
In 2013, Superintendent Finch was commended for his role in Strike Force Maxworthy, an investigation which resulted in the dismantling of a crime syndicate involved in the major importation of handguns into Australia.
Superintendent David Johnson – Burwood Police Area Command - Superintendent David Johnson joined the NSW Police Force in 1985 and confirmed as a Constable at the Petersham Police Station. Superintendent Johnson has been commended for his work at the ABCI in Canberra by the NSW Crime Commissioner and received an Olympic Citation medal for his services at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Superintendent Johnson has been seconded to numerous Task Force investigations including Task Force Air (Ivan Milat), Task Force Colo (paedophile syndicates) and the investigation review into the murder of Sydney underworld figure Angelo Duros.
Once returning to Sydney from Canberra in 2002, Superintendent Johnson was promoted to the rank of Inspector in the Operational Information Agency where he managed the Pawnbrokers Unit, Child Protection Register and Missing Persons Unit.
In 2005, Superintendent Johnson became the Project Director for the introduction of Computer Aid Dispatch System (CADS) which culminated in Superintendent Johnson being awarded the Commissioners Certificate of Merit and Unit Citation.
In 2008, Superintendent Johnson was promoted to the rank of Superintendent performing the role of General Manager, Business Technical Services, Client Services – Field and from 2012 became the Commander, Ashfield Local Area Command.
In 2018, Superintendent Johnson was appointed as the inaugural Burwood Police Area Commander.
Superintendent Dean Smith – Lake Illawarra Police District - Superintendent Dean Raymond Smith joined the NSW Police Force in 1988 and was confirmed as a Constable at Sutherland Police Station. Superintendent Smith performed general duties at the Sutherland Police Station and shortly after moved into criminal investigation duties at the same location. In 1994, Superintendent Smith transferred to the Drug Enforcement Agency and later the Organised Crime Squad where he was performed criminal investigations into major crime syndicates. At the completion of a seconded relieving opportunity at the Olympics Security Command in 2000.
In late 2017, Superintendent Smith was appointed to the position of Commander, Lake Illawarra Police District Command. In this role, he has had an immediate impact with the Aboriginal and CALD communities within the district including attending many community events and building relationships. Without exception, whatever location Superintendent Smith takes on, becomes a better workplace for employees in terms of equity and support whilst delivering strong outcomes in terms of crime and community.
Chief Superintendent Scott Andrew Whyte – Office of the Commissioner - Chief Superintendent Scott Whyte joined the NSW Police Force in 1990 and was confirmed as a Constable at Bankstown Local Area Command. During his career, Chief Superintendent Whyte was the lead on multiple strike forces that have successfully resulted in substantial convictions of offenders charged with serious offences throughout south and south-western Sydney. In 2011, he became Operations Co-ordinator, Gangs Squad, State Crime Command.
In the State Crime Gangs Squad, Chief Superintendent Whyte developed and led Strike Force Kinnara – one of the first investigations to utilise a 3-tiered approach of Disruption, Response and Targeting. This investigation led to the arrest of 45 members of OMCG members culminating in over 150 charges being laid. In 2013, Chief Superintendent Scott Whyte was successfully promoted to the rank of Superintendent and performed the role of Commander at the then Rosehill and Bankstown local area commands. In 2018, Chief Superintendent Scott Whyte was appointed as the Chief of Staff to the NSW Police Commissioner.
Assistant Commissioner Gelina Talbot – Professional Standards Command - Assistant Commissioner Talbot joined the NSW Police Force in 1990 and confirmed as Constable at Kings Cross Police Station. Assistant Commissioner Talbot has undertaken general duties from 1990 to 2007 at various metropolitan and regional NSW Commands including a secondment to the NSW Department of Premier & Cabinet as a project officer for Crime Prevention Partnerships.
In 2013, Assistant Commissioner Talbot relieved as a Local Area Commander across many Commands in the Central Metropolitan Region before becoming appointed as Commander of the Barwon Local Area Command, Western Region. In that time, she successfully managed escalating public order issues relating to coal seam gas operations in the area to which she was commended. In 2018, Assistant Commissioner Talbot was appointed as Assistant Commissioner, Professional Standards Command.
Assistant Commissioner Talbot has made significant contributions to the safety of metropolitan and regional NSW communities as Commander of Police Commands in those areas. Assistant Commissioner Talbot has been awarded the St Johns Emergency Services Award and the NSWPF Commissioners Perpetual Award for Advancement of Women in Policing – Dynamic leader Award
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
Ms Roslyn LANG – Mid North Coast Police District - As a long standing and highly respected administrative member of the New South Wales Police Force, Ms Lang has held her current role of Local Area Manager, Mid North Coast, since 1997.
She is responsible for managing and supporting a Local Command workforce of almost 200 police officers and administrative staff and she has a detailed knowledge and understanding of corporate policies and standards, and always implements processes for high quality work to minimise risks to the organisation. She contributes to a number of significant and varied projects from major reviews of Human Resources practices and policies, to large scale property projects which require detailed stakeholder consultation. She is recognised as an experienced and well-balanced leader, and has developed many systems for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of new work practices which have been replicated by other Commands in NSW. In 2012, her outstanding service was acknowledged with the NSW Police Force Employee of the Year Award in recognition of her contribution to the core business of the NSW Police Force, through the maximisation of resources and in the provision of a safe and comfortable workplace across the Mid North Coast Command.
