Apprehending violent offenders, commencing life-saving procedures and placing the safety of the community above their own are just some of the reasons officers received recognition at the Orana Mid Western Police District awards ceremony this week.
Western Region Acting Commander Peter McKenna presented upward of 30 awards at the ceremony on Monday (4 November 2019), including 10 Certificates of Commendation for officers who have shown particular dedication to duty.
Sergeant Michael Smith and Constable Alexandra Dwyer were among those to receive the Western Region Commander’s Certificate of Commendation in recognition of their dedication during the arrest of an aggressive drug-affected offender at Narromine on Wednesday 31 October 2018.
Sgt Smith and Cst Dwyer attended a property at Narromine following reports of a domestic violence incident. They were confronted with a violent scene and while attempting to restrain the man Sgt Smith injured his hand and Cst Dwyer was punched to the face and sustained minor injuries to her arms and hands.
Sgt Smith and Prb Cst Geordie Yule were also acknowledged for their actions during the arrest of a violent offender at Narromine on Tuesday 30 July 2019. On responding to a possible domestic incident, the pair were met by a man who punched Sgt Smith to the face. A violent struggle ensued during which the man bit and completely degloved Sgt Smith’s right thumb nail.
Prb Cst Kieran Steele was presented a Certificate of Commendation for his actions during the apprehension of a drug-affected man brandishing two large kitchen knives in Dubbo on 5 February 2018. Prb Cst Steele was commended for displaying tenacity and restraint during the man’s arrest.
L/Snr Cst Gregory King was among those to be presented a Police District Commander’s Commendation Certificate yesterday, for his dedication while aiding to a 75-year-old man at Gulargambone on 18 August 2018. L/Snr Cst King commenced CPR in a bid to save the man’s life as paramedics attended to other medical procedures.
Snr Cst Luke Jamieson was also recognised for his professional execution of duty when he was confronted with an unresponsive 10-month-old child at a Binnaway residence on 23 July 2018. Snr Cst Jamieson commenced CPR and remained on scene investigators.
Cst Rachael Coman was acknowledged for her efforts when responding to reports of a man collapsed on Fitzroy Street at Dubbo on 11 September 2018. Cst Coman assisted paramedics with CPR until the man could be taken to hospital.
Cst Andrew Hamilton received the Professional Standards Command Commendation for displaying exceptional commitment into a collaborative research project into drug testing between the NSW Police and Charles Sturt University.
Cst Joel Merchant received the Inner West Police Area Command Commendation in acknowledgement of rendering assistance to victims of a stabbing at Camperdown on 10 December 2015. Cst Merchant is commended for his level of professionalism during a difficult situation.
Det Snr Cst Darian Hardy was presented the State Crime Command Commander’s Commendation in recognition of his contribution during Strike Force Yaminba, established on 23 May 2013 to investigate numerous Molotov cocktail related fires. The strike force resulted in the conviction and sentence of numerous offenders.
