A brave tight-knit team who fearlessly protected their community from an active armed shooter and a tenacious detective sergeant who achieved justice for a long-suffering victim of domestic violence are among those who have been recognised for their dedication to the people of Western Australia.
Ten teams and eight individuals have emerged as winners amongst sea of worthy nominees in the inaugural WA Police Force Recognition of Excellence Awards.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch congratulated the winners and thanked them for their commitment to the community and the agency itself.
“Whether it’s protecting our community during times of crisis, finding answers for the loved ones of missing people, or hunting down the state’s most prolific predators – each of these winners represent the very best of the WA Police Force,” Commissioner Blanch said.
“They do this without the promise of recognition and reward, often under immense pressure and scrutiny.
“The WA Police Force and the wider community is a better place for their contributions. We are very proud to have them represent the agency as our best and brightest.”
Among the winners are Kellerberrin Police Station and Detective Sergeant Annette Herod, who have each been hand selected by the Commissioner of Police to receive the prestigious ‘Brilliance in Policing Award’.
Kellerberrin Police Station – Regional Award – Operational Achievement
Kellerberrin Police Station provides a crucial policing service to the Kellerberrin and surrounding towns communities. As first responders to a range of police incidents, officers based at Kellerberrin Police Station need to be operationally ready for any scenario they may face.
In September 2023 the reality of that critical community role was realised when police were called to a firearm incident in which a local worker had been shot and killed. As backup was being sent in from within the Wheatbelt District and from Perth, officers form Kellerberrin Police Station were first on scene at the incident.
They undertook several actions to locate the gunman who had fled the incident scene in a vehicle.
Communication with the local community was paramount, and the flow of information back and forth between police and the community provided crucial information regarding the threat being faced by the community.
Tragically, the gunman took his own life. With both the victim and the gunman being known by so many in the community, the role of Kellerberrin Police post-incident was just as important as the initial response actions undertaken.
The brave actions of the team at Kellerberrin Police Station during the initial response to this incident reinforced to local residents the role of police in protecting the community, and highlight the duty, teamwork and care values of WA Police Force.
Detective Sergeant Annette HEROD – Special Crime Squad – Serious Crime and Family Violence
The impact of Detective Sergeant Annette Herod’s commitment to supporting vulnerable victims was recently highlighted during a complex and sensitive investigation into current and historical family violence.
Detective Sergeant Herod worked with a woman who had been the subject of physical, sexual and emotional abuse over a 10-year period, and who was in fear of her safety.
By building a strong rapport with the victim, Detective Sergeant Herod was able to progress an investigation that required extensive consultation and liaison with medical professionals, family members and friends, reaching the threshold to pursue criminal charges against the alleged offender.
The case presented to the courts, which included using evidence presentation techniques usually reserved for homicide cases, resulted in the alleged offender pleading guilty to most of the charges.
The compassion, integrity and professionalism displayed by Detective Sergeant Herod is a great example of the duty, teamwork and care values of WA Police Force.
Team Winners
• Agency Services & Development Award – Corporate Recognition
Office of Information Management
• Agency Services & Development Award – Operational Achievement
Interagency Access
• Metropolitan Award – Community Recognition
Perth Detectives
• Metropolitan Award – Operational Achievement
Tactical Response Group
• Regional Award – Community Recognition
Kununurra Community Liaison Officers
• Award – Operational Achievement
Kellerberrin Police Station
• State Award – Community Recognition
Sex Crime Division
• State Award – Operational Achievement
Child Exploitation Operations
• Technology Award – Innovation Recognition
Family Violence Division
• Technology Award – Operational Achievement
Infrastructure Operations and Radio Electronic Services
Individual Winners
• Agency Services & Development Award – Corporate Recognition
Jeff Humpleby
• Agency Services & Development Award – Operational Achievement
Dave Pert
• Metropolitan Award – Community Recognition
Daniel Sneddon
• Metropolitan Award – Operational Achievement
Dan Tordoff
• Regional Award – Community Recognition
Lee Burgess
• Regional Award – Operational Achievement
Andy Galbraith
• State Award – Operational Achievement
Annette Herod
• State Award – Community Recognition
Jennie Jannings
