2010 Excellence in Policing Awards
The 12th Annual Excellence in Policing Awards were presented on 16 October 2010 at the Marriott Hotel Brisbane.
Please contact awards@acwap.com.au or phone 0417 231838 if you have any questions about the awards.
Click here to see photos from the 2010 Awards Dinner.
ARC Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security Excellence
in Policing in the Asia Pacific Region
Susan Mondai
Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary
A career during which she has focused her efforts to elevate female police
integrate police women to position’s of management and decision
making. Policing some of the most challenging areas on our region she
targets areas where women and children’s human rights are abused.
Excellence in Policing for Women Initiative
Mark Murdoch
NSW Police
Assistant Commissioner Murdoch has been pivotal in leading the NSW Police's
response to domestic and family violence to improve outcomes for victims
and their families. Showing leadership and commitment he has strengthened
relationships that improve policing and justice outcomes for women, and
established relationships with feminist networks which have enhanced the
existing relationship between the domestic violence sector, the community
and the NSW Police.
Highly Commended Excellence in Policing for Women Initiative
Sergeant Michelle Millar
Queensland Police Service
An exceptional commitment to making a real difference to the lives of
Queensland Police Service women. She has not only found innovative ways
to empower and support those in need, but has put in the hard yards to
make it happen, again and again.
Austral Media Most Outstanding Female Administrator
Debbie Platz
Queensland Police Service
Inspector Debbie Platz in an outstanding administrator who is highly competent
in the administrative and operational areas of policing and law enforcement.
Her contribution is valued and her skills are underpinned by high levels
of judgment, interpersonal communication skills and operational/resource
management skills.
Hellweg Bravery Award
Karen Ballantyne
Queensland Police Service
Senior Sergeant Karen Ballantyne inspires others by conducting discipline
investigations with integrity, professionalism and impartiality, and demonstrates
courage and resilience in the face of criticism and the stigma of investigating
police. She is a leader and role model for investigating complaints against
members of the Service.
Highly Commended Hellweg Bravery Award
Maha Sukkar
Victoria Police
Senior Constable Sukkar is an individual whose passion for multicultural
policing provides an excellent conduit between Victoria Police and the
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Community.
Most Outstanding Female Practitioner
Emily Tragis
Queensland Police Service
Senior Constable Emily Tragis is inspirational with her innovation and
tenacity toward changing the lives of at risk youth in the Palm Beach
police division toward meaningful engagement and social responsibility.
Highly Commended Most Outstanding Female Practitioner
Christine Smith
NSW Police
Mrs Christine Smith shows outstanding commitment and achievements in working
to reduce domestic and family violence, and in particular working with
external stakeholders to improve the delivery of support services for
victims of domestic and family violence. Known her wealth of knowledge,
expertise and determination to ‘look outside the square’.
Highly Commended Most Outstanding Female Practitioner
Naomi Oberscheidt
South Australia Police
Detective Sergeant Naomi Oberscheidt constantly challenges the ‘status
quo’ by breaking down barriers in sections previously dominated
by older and more experienced male officers. She enhances the profile
of women, creates a career-path they may not have considered, and clearly
demonstrates to others, that a person who meets a challenge and delivers
on performance, can succeed.
Austral Media Most Outstanding Female Investigator
Tracey Barnes
Queensland Police Service
Detective Sergeant Tracey Barnes is a highly professional investigator
who from her early stages of her investigative duties has committed to
assist other female officers to enhance their career by choosing an investigator’s
role within the Queensland Police Service.
Most Outstanding Female Leader
Karen McCarthy
An outstanding ability to inspire and instil confidence in those around
her through her integrity, loyalty and outstanding leadership. She is
professional, dynamic, with integrity and dedication throughout her career
and continues to mentor and guide her staff both males and females while
leading by example. Her magnetic qualities result in staff aspiring to
work for and with her.
Australian Institute of Policing Excellence in Research on Improving
Policing for Women
Caroline Taylor
Edith Cowan University
Professor Caroline Taylor speaks with the valid authority of lived experience.
Her groundbreaking research into the impact of the legal system on survivor
of sexual assault and child abuse is outstanding and her research with
Victoria Police into police management of sexual assault victims is the
first research of its kind.
Highly Commended Excellence in Research
Peta Maddigan
Australian Federal Police
Federal Agent Maddigan's research into the patterns of sworn female police
office in the Australian Federal Police examined the barriers to promotion.
The research found that when women were removed from mainstream policing
positions their career opportunities were negatively affected.
Audrey Fagan Memorial Award
Leisa James
Australian Federal Police
Federal Agent Leisa James is a role model for policing in Australia and
Indonesia who not only demonstrates high level liaison skills, innovative
investigational techniques but provides leadership to Australian and Indonesian
Police women all performed in a challenging operational environment, significant
cultural diversity and widely varied legal systems.
Bev Lawson Memorial Award
Deborah Wallace
NSW Police
Superintendent Deb Wallace is committed to the leadership and mentoring
of women in the NSW Police. Amongst many accomplishments she is most noted
for her involvement with the NSW Police Women's Spokeswomen’s Network
from grass-roots presentations at Development Days to attendance at Women
in Policing functions and committee membership of the network. Deb has
shown the qualities of fierce determination, unstoppable progression and
a tough resilience of fighting all odds. She takes on the most challenging
roles in the investigative field and currently commanding one of the most
difficult squads within the State Crime Command, Middle Eastern Organised
Crime.