NSW Police Force Acting Commissioner Karen Webb APM and Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole have congratulated ten NSW Police Force employees who have been recognised for their outstanding service as part of this year's Australia Day Honours.
Nine officers have been awarded the prestigious Australian Police Medal (APM), and civilian employee Dr Judith Perl will be awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM) for outstanding service to the NSW Police Force.
The NSW Police Force APM recipients are:
- Detective Senior Sergeant Patrick Joseph Crass
- Detective Superintendent Robert Anthony Critchlow
- Inspector Tina Frances Davies
- Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen John Day
- Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty
- Superintendent Paul Jonathon Glinn
- Superintendent Andrew James Holland
- Inspector Terry John Holt
- Sergeant Lawrence George Lucas
The APM was established in 1986 and is now announced twice a year, on Australia Day and the Queen's Birthday in June.
Acting Commissioner Webb said the awards reflected the dedication of each employee to the NSWPF and the people of NSW.
"It is a great honour to recognise the exceptional careers of these employees and pay tribute to their commitment, professionalism and dedication," Acting Commissioner Webb said.
"I am proud that these individuals represent the organisation and thank them for their ongoing contribution to policing."
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said the 10 recipients exemplified dedication to the force and a strong commitment to community.
"Police go above and beyond to serve and protect our community every day and these worthy recipients are shining examples of that," Deputy Premier Toole said.
"While they have diverse stories, they share many similar traits including a focus on building relationships with their communities, supporting victims of crime and their families and a commitment to nurturing those same traits in other officers coming through the ranks."
AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL RECIPIENTS
Detective Senior Sergeant Patrick Joseph Crass
Detective Senior Sergeant Crass joined the NSW Police Force in 1988 and was posted to City Central performing general duties before commencing a distinguished criminal investigation career in 1991 with the Major Crime Squad South and Drug Squad, undertaking both investigative and undercover duties across the State. In 1998, he transferred to the Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command returning to general duties and later promoted to the rank of Sergeant at Brisbane Water in 2004.
In 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Detective Senior Sergeant with the Lake Macquarie Special Operations Group where he drove proactive policing strategies into drug and property theft. In 2010, he returned to Tuggerah Lakes where he continues to lead local police in proactive criminal investigations.
Patrick has spent the entirety of his career in field operations. He is recognised by his peers and superiors for his outstanding commitment to the policing profession and the ongoing mentoring of junior police, particularly in the field of drug investigations. Recognised as a NSWPF Drug Expert for the past 20 years, he continues to provide expert evidence to assist both Local and District Courts pertaining to drug matters.
Detective Senior Sergeant Crass has received multiple acknowledgements; including a Commissioners Commendation for Service in 1993 for his pivotal role as an undercover operative in Strike Force 'Honey Pot', gaining evidence on large-scale property crime offences across south western Sydney. In 2016, he was formally acknowledged by the NSW Crime Commission in relation to Strike Force Salamande, a complex drug investigation which resulted in the seizure of significant amounts drugs and cash.
Detective Senior Sergeant Crass is an accomplished police officer who has demonstrated dedicated and exemplary police service to the people of New South Wales for over 32 years.
Detective Superintendent Robert Anthony Critchlow
Detective Superintendent Critchlow joined the NSW Police Force in 1990 and was first posted to the Waverley Police Station performing General Duties and later Highway Patrol duties in the Eastern Suburbs and Beaches areas of Sydney. In 1995, he moved into investigative roles in and about Maroubra, Mascot and Botany Bay Police Stations and was designated as a Detective in 1998.
In 1999, Robert moved into criminal investigative roles with the National Crime Authority and later to South East Asian Groups within the State Crime Command and was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant in 2003 and to Detective Inspector in 2006. He later worked in the State Planning Coordination Unit before returning to the State Crime Command and was promoted to the rank of Superintendent in 2012 taking Command of the North Shore Local Area Command and later The Hills Police Area Command 2013- 2019.
During 2019, Superintendent Critchlow was seconded to the Australian Institute of Police Management as a Visiting Fellow and in December of that year returned to the State Crime Command as the Commander, Criminal Groups.
Throughout his career, Detective Superintendent Critchlow has performed his duties with integrity, diligence and a strong sense of respect for the victims of crime and their families. He has forged a reputation as a professional criminal investigator and has worked to engage and build community relationships in achieving common goals of community protection and safety.
In 2016, he was recognised with a Rotary Award for Leadership for his initiatives with "The Sanctuary" Women's Refuge and awarded the Rotary "Paul Harris Fellowship" for his commitment in opposing domestic violence.
Detective Superintendent Critchlow is an accomplished Police Commander with dedicated and exemplary police service to the people of NSW for over 30 years.
Inspector Tina Frances Davies
Inspector Davies joined the NSW Police Force in 1995 performing general duties at the Miranda Police Station until 2002 when she undertook the role of Crime Prevention Officer, working with police and key external agencies to develop evidence based crime prevention strategies to reduce crime and increase community safety and confidence in local police.
In 2011, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and transferred to the Sutherland Local Area Command as a general duties supervisor. In 2012, Tina was promoted to the rank of Senior Sergeant as a coordinator with the Transport Command and in 2019 was promoted to the rank of Inspector as a Duty Officer with the Leichhardt Police Area Command.
In 2021, Tina transferred to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command where she is the Manager, Georges River Sector.
Inspector Davies is a respected role model and dynamic and impactful leader who has worked to provide a supportive and positive influence on workplace culture.
Tina is also acknowledged for her many years of committed charity work and participation in the Law Enforcement Torch Run in support Special Olympics; bringing the policing community together to provide sports training and competition for people with intellectual disability.
Inspector Davies is recognised as an exemplary police officer having served the community of NSW with professionalism and dedication for over 25 years.
Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen John Day
Detective Senior Sergeant Day joined the NSW Police Force in 1987 and was first posted to the Mudgee Police Station performing general duties until 1993 when he transferred to the Nepean/Blue Mountains Special Operations Group and later to the Penrith and Mt Druitt Patrols as a criminal investigator where he was designated as a Detective in 1998.
In 1999, he undertook a wide range of criminal investigation roles with the then Crime Agencies (State Crime Command) and Counter Terrorism prior to his promotion to the rank of Senior Sergeant in 2006 as the Investigations Manager at the Sydney City Police Area Command.
Detective Senior Sergeant Day directs criminal investigations within Sydney City with determination and courage, managing a team of 60 detectives and one of the busiest workloads across the investigative commands.
He managed the initial criminal investigation to the Lindt Café siege and stood up and managed the triage centre for evacuated persons. He has managed many significant, complex and high profile investigations within the City of Sydney and is recognised for his professionalism, leadership and mentoring of many junior officers.
Detective Senior Sergeant Day is acknowledged as an outstanding criminal investigator, driven with a passion and commitment to the policing profession for over 34 years.
Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty
Detective Superintendent Doherty joined the NSW Police Force in 1992 and was first posted to the Campbelltown Police Station and later to Bankstown and Flemington, where in 1995 she began a long and distinguished career in criminal investigation and was designated as a Detective in 1998.
In 2004, she was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant at the Liverpool Local Area Command and in 2008, moved to the State Crime Command. In 2011, she was promoted to the rank of Inspector as Investigations Manager, Professional Standards Command followed by postings to the Camden Local Area Command as Crime Manager and later as Coordinator of the State Crime Command Drug and Firearms Squad.
In 2021, Jayne was promoted to the rank of Detective Superintendent taking command of the Child Abuse & Sex Crimes Squad.
Detective Superintendent Doherty directs serious and complex criminal investigations involving child abuse, adult sexual assault, abductions with the intent of sexual assault, on-line child exploitation with determination and courage.
Having led Strike Force Myosoti in relation to the illegal sale of firearms on the black market, she was acknowledged in 2020 for Excellence in Criminal Investigation by the NSWPF Detectives Board, with her investigation resulting in organisational change in how firearms are tracked nationally.
Detective Superintendent Doherty is a committee member of the Australasian Council of Women and Policing and is acknowledged as an outstanding police officer and criminal investigator, driven with a passion and commitment to the policing profession for over 29 years.
Superintendent Paul Jonathon Glinn
Superintendent Glinn joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and was first stationed at Flemington performing general duties and later at Bass Hill where in 1991 he commenced criminal investigation duties and was designated as a Detective in 1994. In 1995, he transferred to the Katoomba and Lawson Police Stations performing general duties and as a Police Rescue operator. In 2002, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and in 2003, promoted to the rank of Inspector, transferring to the Holroyd Local Area Command in the role of Duty Officer.
In the following years, Paul continued as a Duty Officer at Blacktown and Blue Mountains prior to his promotion in 2014 to the rank of Superintendent at the Forensic Evidence and Technical Services Command where he led the Identification Services Branch. In 2019, he transferred to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, where he delivers highway patrol services across the three regional policing areas of NSW.
Superintendent Glinn's exemplary service and leadership has been formally recognised on several occasions including his contributions to World Youth Day and the papal visit in 2008, his welfare management of police officers and his high standards and the quality of his investigations for the NSW Ombudsman.
During November 2019, Superintendent Glinn was in command of the Regional Highway Patrol during the state's worst bushfires where he played a crucial role in leading Highway Patrol officers in frontline operations to ensure the protection and safety of those devastated communities.
Superintendent Glinn is recognised for his selfless dedication to duty for over 35 years. His policing career and professional reputation is one of commitment to operational policing to deliver better outcomes for the community and policing.
Superintendent Andrew James Holland
Superintendent Holland joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and was first stationed at the Kogarah Police Station undertaking general duties there and at Rockdale before transferring to Blayney in 1989. He continued a country/rural policing focus at Carcoar, Bathurst and Lithgow for several years and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2003 before returning to Sydney in 2010 when he was promoted to the rank of Inspector at City Central. In 2018, he was promoted the rank of Superintendent as Commander, Redfern (South Sydney) Police Area Command.
Superintendent Holland has led an outstanding policing career having served in both metropolitan and regional commands where he has developed lasting relationships with local communities and been an advocate for strong community engagement.
His support of numerous police charity functions and fundraising has achieved over $450,000 for special needs children; the McGrath Foundation and regional Blue Light Discos. Through exemplary leadership, Superintendent Holland has developed foundational relationships with local aboriginal communities where he is recognised as calming and stable influencer within the South Sydney Police Area Command and has built relationships with community leaders, elders and Aboriginal youth. His leadership of the joint NSWPF and community Tribal Warrior boxing program continues to draw local youths and divert them from antisocial activities.
Superintendent Holland was instrumental to the success of NSW quarantine operations by establishing robust and effective airport arrival and transportation systems for incoming international travellers.
In more recent times, acting in the role of Assistant Commissioner, Andrew has commanded the Police Operations Centre, responsible for all statewide COVID-19 operations. His is recognised for his outstanding leadership in the implementation of policing strategies in gaining community compliance of Health Orders in a dynamic and politically challenging environment.
Superintendent Holland is highly commended for his exceptional devotion to his community and exemplary policing service for over 35 years.
Inspector Terry John Holt
Inspector Holt joined the NSW Police Force in 1981 and was initially stationed at the (No 30 Division Gosford) Woy Woy Police Station, later performing a range of operational duties at Ryde, Eastwood, Cooma and Jindabyne.
In 1994, Terry joined the then Joint Technical Services Group, now Technical Evidence and Science Branch and has remained in the field of Technical Surveillance since as an operative, supervisor and Controller of the Operations Unit, where in 2018 he was promoted to the rank of Inspector.
As an operational supervisor, Terry provided support to the security efforts of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, 2007 APEC Meeting and 2008 World Youth Day.
As a general duties Constable, he was awarded a Commissioner's Commendation for Courage for his service in a search and rescue operation in Gurhega in 1993 and has been formally recognised for his duties in relation to Operation Newquay, a complicated targeted drug supply operation in regional NSW.
Inspector Holt has been involved in over 1000 electronic surveillance operations in support of serious indictable offences in NSW.
Inspector Holt has diligently served the community of NSW for over 40 years and is recognised as one of the most experienced police operatives in technical surveillance within the Australian law enforcement community.
Sergeant Lawrence George Lucas
Sergeant Lucas joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and was posted to the Wollongong Police Station where he has built a long and distinguished operational policing career. In 2002, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Lawrence is recognised as an exemplary police officer within the Wollongong/Illawarra community and is highly regarded as a skilled practitioner who excels in a wide range of policing roles and responsibilities.
In 2018, Sergeant Lucas was appointed and still serves as a Deputy Local Emergency Operations Controller for the Illawarra District. In more recent times, his leadership and expertise in responding to fires, flood and the pandemic at Command, Region and State level has ensured the safety of many communities.
During 2001, Sergeant Lucas was seconded to the 6th Rotation of the Australian Federal Police as a civilian police officer with the United Nations Transitional Administration East Timor (UNTAET). He was deployed to East Timor's South-Western border where he performed duty as Sub-District Commander of two Districts during that country's first National Election. He was commended for his dedication to educating Timorese police officers, his investigative tenacity and leadership resulting in the issuing of arrest warrants for several politically motivated assaults during the lead-up to the election and the application of detailed planning to support the conduct of election day security operations at several voting venues.
Lawrence has championed policing professionalism across the Illawarra region and other state-wide deployments, workplace health and safety, incident and emergency management, the return to work of injured and ill workers and police protocol duties, erstwhile providing devoted and loyal service to each of his Commanders.
Sergeant Lucas is an accomplished senior non-commissioned officer with dedicated and exemplary police service to the people of New South Wales for over 35 years.
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL RECIPIENT
Dr Judith Perl
Dr Perl joined the NSW Police Force in 1988 as a pharmacologist and for over 34 years of service, has dedicated her life's work to reducing road trauma. Dr Perl's passion and significant contributions to drink and drug driving research has led to changes in legislation and her knowledge and expertise has assisted the NSW Police Force in successful prosecutions and rebuttal of defence challenges.
Dr Perl has been involved with NSW Parliamentary Staysafe Committee since its inception in the 1980's and has actively been involved in other working groups to implement new technologies in detecting drugs and alcohol in drivers. Dr Perl has worked with all branches of NSW Police Force, assisting with the criminal investigations on murders and sexual assaults and the impacts of drugs within these crimes.
Dr Perl is the primary NSW police and prosecution expert for drink driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and combinations thereof, and criminal drug matters, and has been cross-examined more than any other expert witness on the sheer number of expert statements and files she has completed. Today, such is Dr. Perl's reputation and recognition among Local, District, Supreme and Coroners Courts, committees and organisations will often delay their decision on an issue until Dr Perl has provided her perspective.
