By CASEY NEILL
TEN Greater Dandenong police were last week recognised for 35 years’ service to Victoria Police.
The Southern Metro Region Division 3 honours and awards ceremony was held at Pakenham’s Cardinia Cultural Centre on 19 May.
Sergeant Martyn Cox from Dandenong RIMU received a 35 Years Service Award, a 35-year clasp for his Victoria Police Service Medal (VPSM) and a second clasp for his National Medal.
The National Medal is awarded for 15 years of service and clasps are added for each additional 10 years.
Also receiving 35 Years Service Awards were Inspector Bruce Kitchen, Senior Sergeant Bryce Pettett and Sergeant Larry Grimshaw from Greater Dandenong SOCIT, Leading Senior Constable Ian Bidgood and Sergeant Warren Wise from Dandenong DIU, Dandenong Sergeants Leonardus Van Tol and Stephen Ashley, and Springvale Sergeant Max Walker.
VPSM 25-year clasps and National Medal first clasps went to Springvale Senior Sergeant Scott Brennan and Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Scott Roberts and a VPSM 20-year clasp went to Greater Dandenong SOCIT Leading Senior Constable Sharon Guthrie.
Dandenong Sergeant David Fyffe took home a National Medal and VPSM 15-year clasp.
The National Police Service Medal (NPSM) recognises ethical and diligent service and among its recipients were Greater Dandenong CIU Detective Senior Sergeant Martin O’Brien, Springvale Senior Sergeant Alan Dew, Springvale John McDonald, Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol Sergeant Jeffrey Stockdale and Dandenong Leading Senior Constable Patricia Hasson-Vallas.
Dandenong Leading Senior Constable Adam Mottershead was among six members recognised with the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal for their work in New Zealand after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
Dandenong Senior Constables Annemarie Logan and Daniel Gathergole, Greater Dandenong CIU Senior Constable Michael Silva and Springvale Senior Constable Matthew Davey took home VPSMs recognising their 10 years of service.
Southern Metropolitan Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said the division was the second largest in the state, serviced 13 per cent of the state’s population and faced significant challenges.
“But there’s been a huge turnaround,” he said.
“We’ve seen a significant reduction in residential burglary and we’ve also started to turn around public assaults.”
Mr Cornelius said the rise in family violence crime had slowed thanks to police work with the community on problem behaviour.
“But we won’t rest easy until every woman and child feels safe in their own home,” he said.
“Close to 46 per cent of all crime, particularly assaults, in this part of the world are family violence related.
“That’s an absolute disgrace.”
Mr Cornelius acknowledged the many loved ones alongside the morning’s medal recipients and urged the children present to “be proud of your mum and dad”.
“They have worked really hard and made a real difference to the community,” he said.
“In the medal presentation box there’s a miniature medal.
“Make sure you wear that to school tomorrow for show and tell, and say to your mates at school ‘my mum, my dad is a police officer and I’m very proud of them’.”
