Eight NSW Police employees recognised in Australia Day Honours list
Sunday, 26 January 2025 04:36:25 AM
Eight NSW Police Force employees who have been recognised for their outstanding service as part of this year’s Australia Day Honours.
NSW Police Force Commissioner, Karen Webb, and Minister for Police and Counter-Terrorism, Yasmin Catley MP, have congratulated the group of senior NSW Police Force officers who 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 King’s Birthday celebrations in June.
The NSW Police Force APM recipients include:
- Chief Inspector Andrew Bullock
- Sergeant Matthew Cavanagh
- Detective Chief Inspector Craig James
- Chief Inspector Peter Jenkins
- Detective Inspector Joseph Maree
- Inspector Helen McWilliam
- Detective Sergeant Ellen Quinn
- Senior Sergeant Brook Russell
Commissioner Karen Webb APM said she was immensely proud of the officers recognised in today’s celebrations.
“These officers have gone above and beyond what it means to be a dedicated member of the NSW Police Force and I am so glad they are receiving the recognition they deserve,” Commissioner Webb said.
“From various achievements across the operational and proactive side of policing, their contributions have been remarkable.
“I am so proud of their efforts in serving the community of NSW and I thank them for their hard work.”
The Minister for Police and Counter-Terrorism, Yasmin Catley MP, said that these eight recipients exemplify the service all NSW Police Officers provide to their communities each day.
“Today’s Honours are a testament to the dedication and exemplary service of NSW Police officers,” Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said.
“Our police face challenging and dangerous situations every day – often going unseen by the public – yet these officers to serve with extraordinary courage, compassion, and resilience. Today is about recognising their invaluable contribution to NSW.”
“The eight exceptional individuals recognised today have gone above and beyond, making an immeasurable difference in their communities - embodying the very best of what it means to serve and protect.”
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AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL RECIPIENTS
Chief Inspector Andrew John Bullock
Chief Inspector Andrew Bullock joined the NSW Police Force in April 1989 and was stationed at Newtown Police Station. In 2000 he transferred to Endeavour and Ashfield Weapons Training Unit and then returned to general duties at Sutherland Local Area Command in 2006 and was promoted to sergeant. In 2007 he was promoted to inspector at Botany Bay Local Area Command. Combining his Policing and Weapons skills in 2010 transferred to Public Order & Riot Squad (PORS) as the tactical commander. He then relieved as superintendent in various areas including Botany Bay Local Area Command, Public Order & Riot Squad, Operations & Capability Group, Counter Terrorism & Special Tactics and the Dog & Mounted Police Unit. He attended the Police Service of Northern Ireland in 2016 and obtained a public order commanders accreditation for that jurisdiction. Chief Inspector Bullock was a leader in 2022 of the first Public Order & Riot Squad deployment overseas for a peace keeping operation in the Solomon Islands. He was the key liaison with the Australian Federal Police, and coordinated vast logistical processes required for PORS operatives to be deployed overseas. He coordinated training between the Special Response Group and PORS to ensure a cohesive team was formed between two jurisdictions. Conditions were challenging during the deployment, with extreme COVID-19 restrictions in place meaning operatives were confined to rooms at almost all times outside of operations. Chief Inspector Bullock has dedicated his career to the NSW Police Force and people of NSW with 34 years of operational service. He is currently the longest serving commissioned officer in PORS and is considered a subject matter expert in the field of public order. He is currently performing duties as a tactical commander at major hallmark events, violent protests and high-risk operations and leads the front line in a calm and measured way, providing confidence to police commanders, police officers, government officials and other agency partners.
Sergeant Matthew James Cavanagh
Sergeant Matthew Cavanagh joined the NSW Police Force in July 1985 and was stationed at Penrith Police Station, then in 2010 moved to St Marys Police Station and was promoted to sergeant. In 2016 he transferred to Blue Mountains Command and is now approaching 40 years’ service. Over these near four decades he has performed various roles including general duties, youth liaison officer in the Proactive Crime Team, as well as a rescue operator with Blue Mountains Police Rescue with extensive relieving at rank of inspector at various locations. Sergeant Cavanagh has also held NSW Police Rescue qualifications, including relieving as a team leader, and an active participant in many rescue situations in the Blue Mountain’s area. Sergeant Cavanagh has demonstrated distinguished service throughout his policing career. He is recognised for his courage, both on and off duty, while serving the community of the Blue Mountains. This is displayed in the complimentary remarks received in relation to the execution of his duties. The attempt to rescue a trapped driver while off duty exemplifies how Sergeant Cavanagh’s actions exceed the requirements of normal duties. Sergeant Cavanagh has displayed consistent high-level achievement in the performance of his duties as a member of the New South Wales Police Force for nearly 40 years. His passion in supporting the community of Blue Mountains is evident through his work in junior sport along with his parallel work with Fire and Rescue NSW and Ambulance NSW over the years. His continued service and diligence serve as a role model for others, in particular junior staff.
Detective Chief Inspector Craig Anthony James
Detective Chief Inspector Craig James joined the NSW Police Force in August 1995 and was stationed at Hurstville Police Station and in 2000 he was designated a detective. In 2004 he was promoted to sergeant at Botany Bay Local Area Command, then inspector at Harbourside Local Area Command in 2008 and Sutherland Local Area Command in 2010. There he implemented a Summer & Winter First Response Agreement for Sutherland Local Area Command, a unique emergency management traffic management plan for Australia Day celebrations and a sector model which reinvented the operational deployment within the command. In 2011 he was selected as one of 122 NSW Police Force members deployed to Christchurch, New Zealand, as part of the Australian police response to the devastating earthquake. In 2013 transferred to the Public Transport Command as a staff officer supporting the commander in creating the new Police Transport Command to full strength of 610 officers. In 2022 he deployed to Lismore as part of the NSW Police Force response to the devastating floods, managing evacuation centres in Goonellabah and Lismore. Later he transferred to his current role as the manager of Dog & Mounted Command where he performs the role of the Training & Development manager. He also played an active role instilling pride back into a historic unit introducing a formal ‘March Out’ of deceased and retiring police dogs as well as a ‘March in Ceremony’ for the successful completion of a novice training course. As a long-standing manager and member of the Dog Unit, he has had a dramatic effect upon the positive culture of the unit. Detective Chief Inspector James has displayed exemplary achievement and commitment during his impressive 29-year career as an outstanding leader and change manager for the NSW Police Force.
Chief Inspector Peter Joseph Jenkins
Chief Inspector Peter Jenkins joined the NSW Police Force in October 1984 and was stationed at Five Dock Police Station. Later transferring to the Accident Investigation Squad, and in 1995, he was promoted to sergeant then to senior sergeant and in 2000 as commander of Metropolitan Crash Investigation supervising 31 investigators and six regional based units. There he was responsible for the development of an overarching set of standard operating procedures that eventually were implemented statewide. In November 2011 Chief Inspector Jenkins was promoted to inspector at Hawkesbury Police Area Command. He has been a champion of leadership, culture and of serving others for most of his career. In addition to the standard operating procedures, he dedicated significant amount of time to developing a welfare policy and related procedures which were adopted statewide to ensure the wellbeing of his staff. His care extended to victims of road trauma and was extremely active in providing support to those through campaigns. Following the on-duty murder of a colleague in 2012, Chief Inspector Jenkins was instrumental in guiding the command through difficult times that followed, not only dealing with the loss of a close friend but providing close support to the family, as well as leading the command through the tragedy. In 2022 he established a project to create a permanent monument and garden honouring the officer. While at the Crash Investigation Unit, Chief Inspector Jenkins rose from junior investigator to eventual operations manager and commander of the unit. During that time, he worked tirelessly to achieve a common set of standard operating procedures and a welfare policy for metro and regional areas to ensure the highest level investigation and consistency across the state. In achieving this, he contributed positively to the culture and professionalism of the unit, and through his passion and dedication, made a considerable impact.
Detective Inspector Joseph Paul Maree
Detective Inspector Joseph Maree joined the NSW Police Force in December 1984 and was stationed at Campsie Police Station. In May 1991 he moved to the field of criminal investigation at Campsie Police Station, a field in which he would remain. He was soon designated a detective and working at Bankstown Police Station, then in 2001 a detective sergeant at St George Police Station, to be followed by detective inspector in 2022 at the Homicide Squad within the State Crime Command. From 1995 to 2000 he worked in the Armed Hold Up Unit, Major Crime Squad Southwest and from 2006 onwards has worked at State Crime Command in various squads, including the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad and since 2009 as a team leader in the Homicide Squad prior to being promoted to detective inspector in the Homicide Squad in 2022. The role requires significant consultation and negotiation with police area commands and police districts, specialist squads both internally and externally. Due to the nature of homicide investigation, the importance of stakeholders, and the legislative requirements of the NSW criminal courts and the coroner. Whilst at the Homicide Squad he led complex criminal and coronial matters, including murders and critical incident investigations. He places great emphasis on the benefit and importance of mentoring all staff to enhance their investigative skills and to have a high level of professionalism and dedication to their duties, ensuring the highest level of investigative response is provided to the community of NSW, not only to arrest perpetrators, but to achieve conviction at court. Detective Inspector Maree has 31 years’ experience in major crime investigation and fifteen years’ experience leading investigators at the Homicide Squad. He has further shown incredible resilience as a senior investigator of major crime over a lengthy career and is a role model to all investigators in the State Crime Command and the NSW Police Force.
Inspector Helen Therese McWilliam
Inspector Helen McWilliam joined the NSW Police Force in September 1999 and was stationed at Marrickville Police Station. She spent some time there including nine months in the education and training role. In November 2008 she was promoted to sergeant at the Leichhardt Local Area Command, before transferring to Moree Police Station, performing general duties. In 2021 she was promoted to inspector at the New England Police District and is currently performing the role of officer in charge of Moree Police Station. Her dedication is crucial to issues impacting youth within the community, with a down to earth and human approach to caregivers and seeking their agreement to work collaboratively with police has been key to divergence of Indigenous youth from the criminal justice system. In July 2021 she co-ordinated an extensive search operation for a young Aboriginal male within the Gwydir River and surrounds. This operation was extremely sensitive in nature where cultural issues were prevalent. Considered a critical incident, Inspector McWilliam, displayed effective, considerate and measured interpersonal communication skills, and her sincerity was acknowledged by the State Coroner. In October 2022, the Moree Plains Shire and surrounds were greatly affected by extensive flooding of the Gwydir River. This caused damage to the township of Moree with several community members losing their houses to this devastating flood event, whilst suffering extensive damage to her personal home, she maintained her role in the Moree community taking a significant role in the management and recovery operation. The then Mayor of Moree Plains Shire Council commended her for involvement in the coordinated response, respect to the community and diligence in this operation. Inspector McWilliam’s genuine nature and high-level capabilities as a police officer and senior leader has earned her a great deal of respect from the community of Moree. As a ‘country cop’ Inspector McWilliam works above and beyond in the Moree community.
Detective Sergeant Ellen Quinn
Detective Sergeant Ellen Quinn joined the NSW Police Force in May 2002 and was stationed at Marrickville Police Station. In 2006 she transferred to the Joint Investigation Response Team (JIRT), Bankstown, as a detective investigating serious sexual and physical violence against children. In 2011 she transferred back to Marrickville Police Station as a youth liaison officer developing engagement programs for Inner West youth. Later performing duties as a criminal investigator, investigating a broad range of serious criminal matters including sexual violence, robberies, assaults, homicides and frauds. It was here that her commitment to sexual assault victims was highlighted when she investigated a prolific paedophile who in the 1980s had sexually assaulted nine girls aged between six and 12 years of age. Detective Sergeant Quinn acknowledged the retraumatisation of the victims through the investigation and court matter and through the support she gave to those victims, was recognised in 2019 in a magazine article highlighting how she gave the victims back their power and forged friendships with the victims. In 2020 she was promoted to sergeant at North Shore Police Area Command, performing criminal investigation duties. In 2023 she transferred to State Crime Command and is currently the Sex Crimes Squad’s investigations manager. Detective Sergeant Quinn has dedicated most of her career to victim-based crime particularly the area of sexual violence. Her nature for helping victims and superior investigative ability was often recognised, for example in her investigation of the sexual assault of a young girl by seven offenders in 2007. Due to her passion to investigate victim-based sexual violence crimes she was selected by the North West Metropolitan Region to develop a victim-centric response to sexual violence, and led the development of sexual violence officers in each police area of NSW. Detective Sergeant Quinn continues to drive innovation in the investigation of sexual violence, to consider the victim at the centre of every investigation, and the victim's needs above investigative needs.
Senior Sergeant Brook Robert Russell
Senior Sergeant Brook Russell joined the NSW Police Force in February 1987 and was stationed at Blacktown Police Station, moving to Cabramatta Police Station and then Wetherill Park Police Station in the early years. In 1993 he undertook the brand-new assistant protocol officers’ course and commenced undertaking ceremonial duties on a part time basis, in addition to his normal duties at Wetherill Park Police Station. This culminated in the appointment to his current role as the state protocol officer for the NSW Police Force and is currently the second longest serving state protocol officer. In October 2008 he was promoted to sergeant at Flemington Police Station as an education and development officer. In February 2015 Senior Sergeant Russell was promoted to senior sergeant at the Protocol & Awards Unit performing the role of field protocol officer and then state protocol officer where he is responsible for the development and management of many large-scale policing events. His knowledge of all things ceremonial regarding events and protocols within the NSW Police Force and other State events is astonishing. He was instrumental in the design, development, and implementation of the NSW Police Force Service Memorial at Surry Hills. His years of experience within the Protocol & Awards Unit and his many dealings with government agencies has made him a subject matter expert. Senior Sergeant Russell also coordinates the NSW Police Force ceremonial response to significant national and state events, including the Australian Defence Force, returned and services leagues (RSL), federal and state government ceremonies and investitures. Senior Sergeant Russell’s level of achievement and contribution to the NSW Police Force, the State of NSW and indeed the nation is exemplary. He delivers invaluable outcomes to ceremonial and community events, recognising the bravery and meritorious service of members of the NSW Police Force and strengthening relationships across various organisations. Senior Sergeant Russell displays exemplary levels of effort, outstanding leadership and impeccable standards.