IT was a day for recognising the hard work and dedication of local police workers on Monday, with the Victoria Police medal and certificate presentation.
Medals and certificates were presented to deserving recipients by Superintendent Rebecca Olsen and Assistant Commissioner Michael Grainger at the Murray Downs Golf and Country Club.
“It’s always a special day, but I think it’s even more special today because we haven’t actually come together for two years now, and these members have continued to serve day in day out during COVID in an incredibly difficult time,” Supt Olsen said.
Receiving divisional commendations for their exceptional performance in the apprehension of an offender for committing life-threatening assaults were Detective Senior Constable Cameron Johnson, Detective Senior Constable Steven Ablett, Acting Detective Sergeant Liam Tinkler, Detective Sergeant Malcolm Simpson and Detective Senior Constable Joel Lloyd.
On September 24, 2020, an infant child presented to the Swan Hill hospital, unresponsive, with life-threatening injuries, and not expected to survive. Swan Hill’s local unit, with the oversight of the homicide squad, took the lead in the investigation.
“The investigation remained with the members here who contributed many, many hours in a really difficult situation, which was highly volatile and extremely emotional with the outcome so uncertain,” Supt Olsen said.
“They delivered an incredibly quality brief and the offender was apprehended, interviewed and ultimately pleaded guilty to significant and serious assault charges at the time.
“It was one of those investigations that will remain with these members forever throughout their careers, and the way in which they present and perform their duties was absolutely the reason that the prosecution was so successful, and the result well, well deserved.”
Sen-Constable Johnson said it was great to be recognised for his work, particularly with his young family there to witness it.
“It was lovely just to receive some recognition for a job that our team worked pretty hard on,” Sen-Constable Johnson said.
“Obviously, we worked with the family for a significant amount of time, and it was great to get such a good outcome.”
Also receiving a divisional commendation, as well as a 20-year clasp, was Marge Charleson in recognition of her exceptional service and commitment to policing in the Gannawarra area for more than 20 years through administrative, peer support and dedication to supporting police and the community during major incidents, including the Kerang rail disaster.
“I’ve enjoyed providing that service to police and being able to be a backstop for them,” Ms Charleson said.
Presented at the ceremony was also an almost forgotten 30-year clasp belonging to the retired Leading Senior Constable Stuart Tompsett.
“Stuart actually retired in 2011, when he should have actually received the 30-year clasp, and his wife Lee sought through the medals and awards commission for recognition of his 30-year clasp, which was just a genuine oversight at the time,” Supt Olsen said.
Successfully tracking down the clasp for her husband, Lee kept the whole thing a surprise until the very last minute.
“My wife kept it as a secret – I thought we were coming out here for a family photo,” Sen-Constable Tompsett said.
“It’s definitely not something I was expecting.”
Supt Olsen said being able to present all these awards and medals, particularly in the presence of family members, is “by far my favourite part of the job”.
“This isn’t a job that you do for eight hours of the day, in fact when you police in a small community, it’s very much a 24/7, and they live and work in a fishbowl,” Supt Olsen said.
“So the opportunity to actually come together and thank them is a very small gesture for something that they deliver in huge quantities.”
Full break down of award recipients and more photos in Tuesday’s edition of The Guardian.
