Three South Australia Police (SAPOL) officers have been recognised for distinguished service with one of Australian policing’s highest accolades in this year’s Australia Day Honours List.
Chief Superintendent Yvette Clark, Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby, and Senior Sergeant First Class Darren McCue will each receive an Australian Police Medal (APM) in recognition of their work across a range of operational fields.
On behalf of SAPOL, Acting Commissioner Linda Williams APM offered her congratulations to the deserving officers, and noted their contribution to South Australian policing.
“Congratulations to Yvette, Brett and Darren on receiving the Australian Police Medal,” she said.
“They have all made a significant contribution to not only the South Australia Police, but the wider community and each embodies notable leadership qualities. We are very proud of their achievements.”
Chief Superintendent Yvette CLARK
Chief Superintendent Yvette Clark has been an outstanding role model for women since joining SAPOL in 1980. Her early career featured stints in Port Lincoln, Regency Park Patrols and Port Adelaide Criminal Investigation Branch.
Notably, Chief Superintendent Clark has extensive expertise in Counter Terrorism and Forensic Science, having undertaken leadership roles in the State Protective Security Branch and Forensic Services Branch (FSB) where she developed sound policy and procedures to assist and guide SAPOL and other jurisdictions in these disciplines.
In FSB, she developed and implemented the Evidence Desk and centralised Crime Scene Investigation structure, leading to improved efficiencies and procedures.
Chief Superintendent Clark was responsible for the development of policy and operating procedures which were central to SAPOL’s successful transition to the District Policing Model, including the District Duty Inspector role’s implementation. As the inaugural Officer in Charge (O/C) of Southern District, her leadership was pivotal in the successful transition of two Local Service Areas into the new District. She also initiated and developed the Missing Person Response Team pilot, with the model successfully adopted across all metropolitan Districts.
During the COVID-19 emergency, Chief Superintendent Clark played an integral role in ensuring and managing business continuity, working with multiple government stakeholders. Her knowledge and exceptional professionalism is evident in her provision of contemporary and ethical advice and guidance in her role within Governance and Capability Service and current role within State Operations Service, emphasising her reputation as an outstanding leader within SAPOL and the community.
Chief Superintendent Yvette Clark
Detective Chief Inspector Brett FEATHERBY
Joining SAPOL in 1990, Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby began his policing career by serving as a patrol officer and Detective before moving into the serious and organised crime investigation areas where he developed an expertise in Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG) culture, operations and membership.
His tenure in Crime Gangs Task Force saw him lead some of the biggest deployments of police in South Australia, resulting in enhanced public safety and successful prosecutions for OMCG-related offending.
Detective Chief Inspector Featherby is recognised as one of only five experts in Australian law enforcement able to give certain evidence regarding OMCG. His status is recognised in Supreme Court judgements and is relied upon in overseas jurisdictions.
His outstanding establishment and contribution to the Crime Gangs Task Force demonstrates exceptional innovation, contributing to SAPOL being recognised as a national leader in policing OMCG.
Detective Chief Inspector Featherby joined the Major Crime Investigation Branch in 2020, and since 2021 has led Operation Southern, a significant organised crime investigation established after a series of brutal unsolved murders.
His proactive leadership of Operation Persevere has seen significant improvements in the investigation of long-term missing persons and unidentified human remains. He has lead Operation Alpha, managing the trial of eight OMCG offenders charged with a previously unsolved OMCG-related murder – the largest number of people charged simultaneously with murder in South Australian history.
Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby
Senior Sergeant First Class Darren MCCUE
Senior Sergeant First Class Darren McCue began his early career as a general duties patrol officer in the Holden Hill, Tea Tree Gully and Elizabeth patrol areas after joining SAPOL in 1987.
He undertook a posting in the surveillance section prior to being promoted firstly to Senior Constable then Sergeant in the general duties areas of Mount Barker and Elizabeth.
After being promoted to Senior Sergeant First Class in 2011, he has since managed operations in Western District and Northern District.
Senior Sergeant First Class McCue personifies SAPOL’s values, particularly leadership, by inspiring and motivating others to be the best they can be. As the Elizabeth Operations manager, he leads a dynamic team of frontline officers, in arguably one of the state’s busiest and most demanding patrol areas. He is an excellent communicator who is renowned for being humble, loyal, hardworking and caring.
Throughout his time as an Operations Senior Sergeant, he has mentored dozens of junior officers to attain their career goals and go on to achieve outstanding outcomes.
He has been instrumental in mentoring, developing and leading staff through numerous emergency situations and hazardous taskings, including the Sampson Flat bushfires in 2015, Virginia floods in 2016 and a major industrial oil warehouse fire in Wingfield in 2012, along with coordinating Northern District’s COVID-19 pandemic response.
Highly respected by all, Senior Sergeant First Class McCue is renowned as an accomplished leader of operational police, serving the South Australian community with dedication and professionalism across a distinguished 36-year career.
Senior Sergeant First Class Darren McCue
