Nine exemplary Victoria Police employees are among today’s award recipients in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
The Victoria Police recipients are awarded medals in recognition of their outstanding contribution to community safety and exceptional leadership in their fields.
Eight police officers have been awarded the Australian Police Medal (APM) and one Victoria Public Servant is being recognised with the Public Service Medal (PSM).
The accolades acknowledge each employee’s extensive career and the contributions they’ve made across a range of areas such as emergency response, advocacy for diverse communities, gender equality in the workplace and commitment to community safety.
The Victoria Police employees receiving medals are:
Australian Police Medal
Senior Sergeant Gregory Dean, Glen Waverley Police Station
Snr Sgt Dean has been a member with Victoria Police for more than 30 years, working in range of roles, including at the Major Collision Investigation Unit, where he spent 10 years as an investigator. He is a strong advocate for mental health and has been instrumental in promoting well-being among his colleagues and in the community.
Superintendent Jenelle Fuller, Information, Systems and Security Command
Supt Fuller has dedicated her career of 33 years to improving social justice outcomes and community safety for diverse communities. She has spearheaded programs to improve the representativeness of the organisation and promoted programs aimed at improving the police response to family violence.
Senior Sergeant Mark Hesse, Murrindindi Cluster, Eastern Region
Snr Sgt Hesse has demonstrated courage and integrity in all his roles at Victoria Police, including at Murrindindi when he supported the community and his colleagues recovering from the aftermath of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Through his outstanding example, Mark has embedded a culture of working above and beyond the requirements of the role to help those in need of assistance.
Inspector Christopher Major, Capability Department
Insp Major has had a career predominantly performing frontline operational duties and has demonstrated an outstanding ability to engage and build relationships with the community. He has driven significant work to achieve a safer community and has earned high levels of respect and trust among colleagues and the community during his police career of 45 years.
Detective Senior Sergeant Janet Mitchell, Crime Command
Det Snr Sgt Mitchell has been instrumental in the development of and working conditions for all women. She worked tirelessly to advocate for women’s rights, which included the implementation of day care. She was appointed the first female President of The Police Association Victoria in 2004.
Superintendent Paul O’Halloran, Crime Command
Supt O’Halloran has been a member of Victoria Police for 37 years and has performed a variety of roles in both metropolitan and rural settings. He has led numerous high-profile homicide investigations, and his efforts have seen him recognised multiple times throughout his career, including for his involvement in the investigation of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.
Superintendent Peter Seiz, People Development Command
Supt Seiz has continued to provide distinguished service to Victoria Police since joining the organisation in 1986. His reputation is exemplary, particularly in the field of operational safety tactics and training for Victoria Police.
Senior Sergeant Alfred (David) Watson, Morwell Police Station
Snr Sgt Watson has served with Victoria Police for more than 42 years, with 34 years providing exemplary service to the Gippsland community. He continues to be a strong advocate for road safety and has performed a range of high-level planning roles for major events. He has extensive experience in emergency response, having responded to several natural disasters such as the Black Saturday, Hazelwood Mine and Churchill fires.
Public Service Medal
Rebecca Angel, Media Director, Media and Corporate Communications
Ms Angel has demonstrated significant leadership at the forefront of the communications effort at Victoria Police. She is recognised for her ability to provide strategic counsel across a range of stakeholders. Her leadership was instrumental in the successful delivery of complex and coordinated strategies that provided reassurance to the community on a number of incidences, including the 2017 Flinders Street and 2018 Bourke Street tragedies, the 2019-2020 Victorian Bushfires and when four Victoria Police officers died in the line of duty in April 2020. Ms Angel’s dedication and commitment to Victoria Police and its officers has been exemplary.
Quotes attributable to Chief Commissioner Shane Patton
“On behalf of Victoria Police, I would like to congratulate the nine employees for their dedication, and continued contribution to the community. They are all supremely deserving of this recognition.”
“Each person has demonstrated exceptional service and leadership over their career with Victoria Police, working tirelessly and selflessly in the best interests of all Victorians.
“I believe today’s recipients reflect the excellence within Victoria Police. Their passion for service and helping the community has rightly earned them these national accolades for policing and the public service.
“It is pleasing to have the opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of our nine employees, who have clearly gone above and beyond in their roles. The awards serve as a reminder of the dedication they show every day, and I invite you to join me in congratulating them on their achievement.”
