Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services the Honourable Mark Ryan MP joined Commissioner Ian Stewart for the presentation of the 2019 Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Awards.
The awards ceremony formed part of the Gala Dinner at the Third Australasian Indigenous Family Violence Policing Conference (AIFVPC) in Cairns.
The awards aim to identify and recognise the achievements of members of the QPS, personnel of other government and community organisations and members of the community who have assisted the QPS in the prevention of domestic and family violence in Queensland.
Minister Ryan said he was honoured to be able to present some of the awards to recipients in Cairns.
“These awards are another example of the hard work that is being done in this space.
“Those who were recognised as a part of this year’s awards provide a commendable example of the commitment and determination that those working hard to combat domestic and family violence are exhibiting, both within the Queensland Police Service and wider community.
“I congratulate all awardees,” Minister Ryan said.
Awardees were presented and acknowledged for their efforts in domestic and family violence prevention across five different categories.
The categories included the Coordinator Award, the Liaison Officer Award, the Police Service Award, the Partnership Award and the Community Service Award.
Winners and those highly commended were awarded a framed certificate signed by the Commissioner and a trophy was presented to the winner for each category.
Those in attendance on the night at the AIFVPC were presented their awards by Minister Ryan and the Commissioner during the Gala Dinner.
Sergeant Kerry McKay from the North Brisbane District Vulnerable Persons Unit was awarded the Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Coordinator Award for being a QPS police officer who has been in the role of a designated DFV Coordinator, exhibited a commitment to improving police responses, provided demonstrated outcomes for the safety of vulnerable persons and adopted innovative strategies within the district.
Senior Constable Vanessa Rudloff from Surfers Paradise Police Station was awarded the DFV Liaison Officer Award for being an individual QPS police officer who has demonstrated a high level of proficiency in the role and demonstrated a commitment to improving policing responses to DFV within her division.
The Partnership Award was awarded to the Kowanyama Domestic and Family Violence Response team for being a team who have worked together in the field of DFV prevention, demonstrated initiative and innovation in developing relevant partnerships and delivered outcomes that enhanced the safety of an individual or group.
The remainder of the awardees are to be presented with their Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Awards in their respective local ceremonies.
Senior Constable Melissa Jenkins is to be presented with the Police Service Award.
She will be presented this award for being a QPS member who has taken an active role or interest in improving the policing response to DFV and demonstrated involvement through a response to assisting those affected by DFV and provided a service which has resulted in a tangible outcome which has improved the safety or outcome for an individual or group of people.
The Coordinated High Risk Response Team (CHaRRT) is to be awarded the Community Service Award which was open to an individual or team from the community who has initiated a proactive service or program addressing local issues to the QPS and/or community with respect to DFV and delivered outcomes that enhance the safety of individuals or groups.
Acting Senior Sergeant Deniiele Furney will receive a Highly Commended award for the Police Service Award.
Senior Constable Renae Cannon is to be awarded Highly Commended for the Liaison Officer Award.
The Domestic Violence Integrated Response Group will be awarded Highly Commended for the Partnership Award.
Commissioner Stewart said these award recipients should be extremely proud of their achievements.
“Those in receipt of awards at the ceremony, and those who are still yet to be awarded are commended for their efforts in the domestic and family violence prevention space.
“Those recognised have not only made contributions due to their roles but have gone above and beyond both within the community and the QPS and are now rightfully being recognised for their efforts in combatting this important issue.
“The community team awarded is a wonderful reminder of the fact that domestic and family violence is an issue we are all working together on.”
