The Australasian Council of Women and Policing’s (ACWAP) Awards for Excellence in Policing were held in Sydney this week to publicly acknowledge and reward the achievements of women and men who contribute to improving policing and law enforcement and ensuring services are enhanced for women in our communities.
This year, three Queensland Police Service members received awards for their commitment to improving policing.
Inspector Kim Kellaway was awarded the Bev Lawson Memorial Award in recognition to achieving real change in workplace culture and mindset.
Throughout her 31-year policing career, Inspector Kellaway mentors and supports others while enthusiastically advocating for women in policing. She takes an active leadership role in designing and promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Proud First Nations officer and descendant of the Birri Gubba Nation and Juru Clan, Senior Constable Jessie Geary was awarded the inaugural Emerging Leadership Award.
Senior Constable Geary is a tenacious advocate for recognition and equal opportunity for all women within the community she proudly represents. She is devoted to First Nations children within her community and provides support to the most vulnerable, helping drive meaningful change in their lives.
Senior Constable Geary also won the inaugural Balance Scholarship Award to commence studies at the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM) to further enhance her skills and build influence to better support organisational performance.
The Griffith University Women in Policing Scholarship was awarded to Senior Constable Jessica McLaren.
Senior Constable McLaren’s study provides her with enhance knowledge and better understanding of causes of crime. Through this, she will gain a better understanding of social and psychological explanations of criminality, particularly in relation to offences related to sexual violence.
Fourteen QPS members were also named as finalists:
- Senior Sergeant Monique Cavill
- Superintendent Keiryn Dermody
- Nuha Souza
- Senior Constable Jestine Geary
- Elizabeth Johnson
- Olivia Mcintyre
- Police Liaison Officer Elsie Nona
- Erin Rigby
- Senior Sergeant Tanya Rowlands
- Inspector Leonie Steyger
- Senior Constable Sandrene Trembath
- Sergeant Melissa Winslade
- Siobhan Allen
- Claire Irvine
Congratulations to all award recipients and nominees for their outstanding contribution to the organisation and their communities.
