A senior constable from Port Stephens Hunter Police District is this year's Rotary NSW Police Officer of the Year, recognised for her tireless charity work, efforts with youth in her community and extensive career protecting and serving the people of NSW.
The NSW Police Officer of the Year awards is a joint initiative by Rotary Clubs of NSW and the NSW Police Force each year, to recognise professional excellence and dedication to service by officers and civilian staff.
This year, the Awards were presented by NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb APM; Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism, The Hon. Yasmin Catley; Rotary Club of Sydney President, Glenn Stafford; retired NSW Police Inspector, Irene Juergens APM, Deputy Commissioners and other senior Rotarians.
The awards were announced at a gala dinner at the Hyatt Regency, Sydney, on Friday 1 November 2024, where hundreds of police officers, civilian employees, volunteers, their families, Rotarians and corporate supporters came together to recognise excellence in service across ten categories, as well as the overall Police Officer of the Year.
Judges deemed Senior Constable Alison Stewart worthy of the overall award due to her extensive charity work with Backpack Venture, her long 36-year career as a regional police officer and her work with youth in her local community.
In announcing the Award, Snr Cst Stewart's work as a police officer and in her community have highlighted what the NSW Police Force wants to recognise during this year's awards.
The command's submission described how Snr Cst Stewart helped setup the Backpack Venture charity, an organisation focused on providing food and goods to children across the Hunter and Western NSW. During the 2022 Lismore floods Snr Cst Stewart distributed backpacks full of goods to children impacted by the disaster helping to bring some relief to the devasted community.
Throughout Snr Cst Stewart's 36-year career she has made an impact in multiple communities across NSW through her work and engagement with youth, local government and community partners.
NSW Police Force Commissioner Karen Webb APM, has commended the work of Snr Cst Stewart which embodies the core values of the NSW Police Force.
"Being a police officer is one of the most significant and important jobs anyone can do for their community.
"Senior Constable Stewart's exceptional dedication as a police officer, even beyond her operational duties, has not only exceeded the high standards of the NSW Police but has also earned her the respect and admiration of her command, colleagues, and the entire organisation," said Commissioner Webb.
"Every year, I am amazed by the quality of service and the genuine passion officers have for their communities and their work across the state. These awards are just one way to honour a few of these outstanding officers, and I want to congratulate every winner and nominee," Commissioner Webb added.
Commissioner Webb congratulated Snr Cst Stewart for also being named the Regional NSW Field Operations Officer of the Year.
Winners in the other categories include:
Senior Constable Lachlan Wykes – Incident and Emergency Management Command – Metropolitan Field Operations Police Officer of the Year
Emergency management arrangements are complex and require high level knowledge, stake holder engagement and work across extended periods. Snr Cst Lachlan Wykes has embodied this and has consistently performed at a high level since his arrival within the Emergency Management Command.
In addition to his volunteer SES duties, Snr Cst Wykes has injected himself into all manner of project work in support of command operations. This includes being part of the response to the Varroa Mite and Red Ant incursions, development of new guides and training to support improvements to the command and being selected as part of the Deputy Commissioner's Emergency Management Project team.
Snr Cst Wykes demonstrates unwavering dedication to service each and every shift. There is not a shift that goes by where he is not trying to develop and improve processes, systems or communications on behalf of the command in pursuit of continual improvement for the NSW Police Force and the community.
Sergeant Peter Donovan – Wireless Network Group – Corporate Services Police Officer of the Year
Sgt Peter Donovan is a natural leader who, as Police Operations Centre (POC) Coordinator, is responsible for the management and coordination of technology and wireless communication support to police commanders during large scale, complex police activities involving state and federal agencies.
His dedication to providing a reliable and contemporary POC facility has supported critical policing operations to various commanders. COVID saw the highest demand for these services in the POC's history. More recently Operation Shelter has been running for over a year.
During these significant operations Sgt Donovan continually responds to requests for POC upgrades to enhance capabilities, successfully implementing them on time and with minimal disruption to frontline staff.
His expertise and all-encompassing knowledge of the POC and the operational requirements of frontline police have contributed to the success of all police operations across NSW, including New Year's Eve, ANZAC Day, Women's Soccer World Cup and Vivid.
Leading Senior Constable Matthew Bailey – Public Order and Riot Squad – Investigations & Counter Terrorism Rotary Police Officer of the year
L/Snr Cst Matthew Bailey is an outstanding officer attached to the Public Order & Riot Squad. Known for his unparalleled work ethic and exceptional operational results, he boasts one of the highest arrest rates within the squad.
He has a remarkable ability to motivate and inspire his peers, fostering a strong sense of pride and commitment to their duties. He invests considerable time and effort in mentoring and creating a supportive learning environment for those in his team and ensures each officer is equipped with the skills and confidence needed to excel in their roles.
L/Snr Cst Bailey regularly puts others before himself. While off duty, he saw a man caught in a rip after a jet ski accident. The man had also sustained several serious injuries. Without hesitation, he swam into the swell to help the man back onto the beach to receive medical care.
Sergeant Nathan Trueman – Mount Druitt Police Area Command – Rotary Community Award
Sgt Nathan Trueman epitomises the Rotary spirit of service to others. For many years he has worked closely with Cobham Detention Centre and has developed and continues to run several programs with Aboriginal youth in detention, all of which his does in his own time.
Sgt Trueman has an innate way of connecting with young people. He has a firm but friendly approach, a great sense of humour and an ability to be able to see past their current circumstances and inspire them.
The young people look to him as a role model. Being a police officer also serves to strengthen relationships with these young people and police.
Sgt Trueman has also created several programs for young people around issues of DV, building healthy relationships, knife crime awareness and road safety.
Dallas Maher – Facial Recognition Unit – Police Employee of the Year
Dallas Maher joined the NSW Police Force in 2008 attached to the PhotoTrac Unit as an imaging technician and has always shown a passion for learning and evolving his skills. In 2018, when the Facial Recognition Unit formed, Dallas was identified as the foremost authority on facial recognition. He was instrumental in the planning and establishment of the unit which has achieved more than 2000 matches.
Dallas is always looking for business improvements and has identified efficiencies and implemented work practices to further develop the unit. He has also provided specialised age progression and face generation work to State Crime Command and the Missing Persons Registry.
Dallas is highly respected by his supervisors and peers across Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions and is regularly consulted on facial recognition matters. This is evidenced by his recent appointment as Deputy Chair to the FACE Specialist Advisory Group under the National Institute of Forensic Science.
Constable Joshua Ross – Central North Police District – Customer Service Excellence Award
The remoteness of the Central North Police District presents unique policing challenges, but Cst Joshua Ross regularly visits the remotest parts of the district in support of youth activities. As the youth officer for Central North PD, Cst Ross leads the youth engagement strategy and played an integral role in organising a program in Cobar aimed at young people involved in antisocial behaviour.
Cst Ross makes the 160km drive from Bourke every week to run the program. Its success is the result of his enthusiasm, commitment and unique ability to bridge cultural gaps, resulting in a reduction in antisocial behaviour and bullying incidents.
He also runs sporting programs in Bourke and Brewarrina for troubled youths and makes the journey back and forth several times throughout the week to ensure no one misses out.
Cst Ross's positive reputation extends outside youth programs, and he is recognised across the broader Bourke community, promoting relationships between police and locals.
Superintendent Christine McDonald – Burwood Police Area Command – Irene Juergens (IJ) Fellowship Award Sworn Category
In the six months Supt Christine McDonald has been commander of Burwood Police Area Command, she has made a significant positive impact in the community. A key part of this is ensuring police are out and about and seen in the community.
She has also taken great strides to address the source of local issues like youth crime, DV and mental health by having police regularly engage with children at local schools, organising sporting matches between police and schools, and teaming up with community partners to ensure important messaging and support is conveyed to the many community groups that live within Burwood PAC.
Despite the challenges that each of the 34 suburbs that make up Burwood PAC face, they are reassured that the police and staff of Burwood PAC, under the command of Supt McDonald will keep them safe day and night.
Gandhi Sindyan – Campsie Police Area Command – Irene Juergens (IJ) Fellowship Award Unsworn Category*
In response to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, there was a request for a Multicultural Liaison Officer (MCLO) Program response. Mr Sindyan, a MCLO based at Campsie PAC, was uniquely positioned to provide a connection between the NSW Police Force and community leaders.
At a time when emotions were high and there was a reluctance to engage with government agencies, Mr Sindyan's work meant the NSW Police Force remained one of the only agencies the community was engaging with.
His work extends beyond large scale incidents and quite often covers smaller issues that become conflated and require a holistic understanding. He's known for his aspirational approach where he chooses courage over comfort by facing difficult tasks or conversations rather than avoiding them.
Mr Sindyan's service over the past 20 years has positively contributed to police commands and the MCLO program in addressing and resolving policing issues.
David Loft – Monaro Police District – Volunteer of the Year Award
David Loft has dedicated his life to serving the community, having worked for 28 years with the Rural Fire Service and seven years as a Rotarian. His current volunteer work with Monaro PD has a strong focus on providing victim support packs to enhance community satisfaction and has identified areas for improvement in policing services.
Mr Loft regularly goes above and beyond. In 2024 he played a key role in enabling 26 Aboriginal female students to attend the NRL Indigenous round. Faced with potential cancellation due to transportation issues, Mr Loft secured and personally drove a bus, to ensure a memorable experience for the students and strengthening the bond between police and the Aboriginal community.
His unwavering support extends to other groups in the community including victims of DV, young people, the elderly and people living with disabilities. His exemplary volunteer work has significantly contributed to the success and positive reputation of the Monaro PD.
*Irene Juergens, better known as 'IJ', was the first female sergeant in the NSW Police Force to receive the APM and the first woman to receive the NSW Police Medal. She served for 43 years, including as OIC of the Crime Prevention Section and as State Coordinator of the VIP Program.
