Victoria Police is celebrating the significant achievement of 12 employees who have today been awarded medals in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
The Queen’s Birthday Honours List highlights the work of Victorians who have made exceptional contributions to the community while demonstrating leadership and innovation in their fields.
This year, 11 Victorian Police officers have been recognised for their outstanding careers and contributions to community safety with the Australian Police Medal (APM). A Victorian Public Service employee has also been honoured with the Public Service Medal (PSM).
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said that each of the individuals had demonstrated service excellence over their time, while being instrumental in developing initiatives which have had positive impacts across Victoria Police.
“We are thrilled that so many of our employees are receiving well-deserved recognition for their leadership, diligent service and significant contributions to the Victorian community,” CCP Ashton said.
“Our organisation thrives because of the commitment and passion of our people and their dedication to policing, regardless of the role they play.
“It’s also an opportunity to acknowledge the family and friends who have supported them throughout their careers.”
The Victoria Police employees receiving medals are:
Superintendent Belinda Bales, Civil Law Division
• Superintendent Bales was integral in the establishment of the Specialised Sex Offences Team and in the development of legislative reform significantly strengthening Victoria’s Counter Terrorism laws.
Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Bennett, Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team
• D/S/Sgt Bennett is committed to victim support while investigating serious assaults and sex assaults. She has carried out leadership roles in several ground-breaking international investigations.
Inspector Wayne Cheesman, Staff Officer to the Deputy Commissioner – Regional Operations
• Inspector Cheesman is recognised for his commitment to strategic legislative reform in dealing with organised crime, in particular Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCGs).
Assistant Commissioner Michael Grainger, State Emergencies & Support Command
• AC Grainger has placed significant focus on improving the safety of the Victorian Community with the delivery of ‘Operation Safeguard’, the new state-wide response to emergencies, predominantly bushfires.
Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen McIntyre, Counter Terrorism Command
• D/S/Sgt McIntyre is dedicated to the investigation of serious crime and the field of homicide and suspicious deaths. He supervised over 100 homicide investigations, the vast majority of which led to convictions. In doing so, he has also brought a measure of comfort to grieving family and friends.
Detective Senior Sergeant Gary Marks, Crime Command
• D/S/Sgt Marks has implemented highly successful and complex covert policing strategies that have supported many prosecutions for serious offences.
Leading Senior Constable Joanne Mutsaerts, Melton Police, North West Metro Division 3
• LSC Mutsaerts has been committed to victim and offender management, public safety, community reassurance, and proactive stakeholder engagement.
Mr Dallas Reilly, ICT Project Delivery Division
• As Director of Strategic Program Delivery, Dallas successfully led the Victoria Police Information and Communication Technologies modernisation and Business Transformation Program.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Kathleen Squire, Frankston Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team
• Detective LSC Squire has predominantly worked in the field of sexual offence investigation. She was instrumental in proactively creating and facilitating a sexual assault information course for the Royal Australian Navy, in order to reduce the incidence of sexual assaults amongst recruits.
Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir, Eastern Region
• AC Weir has provided outstanding police service to the community over his broad and varied career. His priority is ensuring a safe, respectful and fair workplace for all members of Victoria Police in particular those serving within the Eastern Region.
Inspector Peter Wheeler, Eastern Region Planning Office
• Inspector Wheeler has held operational, investigative, specialist, technical, taskforce, state-wide response, corporate project and Local Area Commander roles within Victoria Police.
Superintendent Jenny Wilson, Western Division Region 3
• Superintendent Wilson has worked primarily as an investigator and manager in the fields of sexual assault and child abuse. Jenny is on the Board of Management at West Centre Against Sexual Assault, a not-for-profit group that provides support and information for women who have experienced family violence and sexual abuse.
Victoria Police would like to congratulate the 12 employees for their dedicated service and contributions to the community, as well as all recipients of medals in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
