Eight NSW Police officers have been honoured with an Australian Police Medal in recognition of their years of dedicated service to the community and policing.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley and NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon congratulated the exceptional officers on the achievement and commended them for their contribution to the NSW Police Force.
Nominations for the awards can be by an officer’s peers, commander or a member of the community, and are announced twice a year, in January (Australia Day) and June (King’s Birthday).
The recipients are from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse Squad, State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad, Lake Illawarra Police District, Nepean Police Area Command, Central Metropolitan Region, Liverpool Police Area Command, Learning Development and Delivery Command and State Crime Command’s Unsolved Homicide Team.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said the service of these officers had helped shape a stronger police force and a safer New South Wales, and they should be proud of this recognition.
“The King’s Birthday Honours recognise individuals whose commitment to public service has left a lasting impact on the people of New South Wales,” Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said.
“Behind every honour is a story of professionalism and a commitment to keeping our communities safe. These recipients have earned the respect of their colleagues and the trust of the public through years of outstanding service.”
“Their achievements remind us of the important role police play in helping communities feel safe, connected and supported.”
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the recipients should be very proud to receive an Australian Police Medal.
“An Australian Police Medal recognises extraordinary service and every officer honoured today has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the safety and wellbeing of the people of New South Wales,” Commissioner Lanyon said.
“The Australian Police Medal is one of the highest acknowledgements of policing excellence and the officers receiving it have earned that distinction through decades of professionalism, integrity and leadership.
“Policing is demanding and often confronting work and these officers have consistently gone above and beyond for the community and to support their colleagues.
“Thank you to these officers for their contribution to the NSW Police Force.”
Local Copper Recognised
One of the Police officers, Superintendent Darren Brand briefly served in the Riverina:
Superintendent Darren Brand attested as a probationary constable on 15 August 1997 and was posted to Blacktown Local Area Command. In December 1999, he transferred to Grong Grong Police Station in the Riverina District, returning to Blacktown in 2002 and later to Harden Police Station in 2004. In October 2006, he commenced duty as a prosecutor for the Metropolitan Court Unit and in 2009 transferred to Southern Rivers Court Circuit.
Superintendent Brand was promoted to the rank of sergeant soon after, and to the rank of senior sergeant in October 2011. In November 2013, he returned to uniformed duties at Wagga Wagga Police Station before transferring to Prosecutions in 2015 as the coordinator of the Southern Rivers
Court Circuit. In July 2019, Superintendent Brand was promoted to the rank of inspector at Barrier Police District, and in November 2021 to the rank of superintendent as commander. In 2022, he transferred to the South Coast and in February 2026 took command of Lake Illawarra Police.
Superintendent Brand has spent much of his career serving rural towns in NSW. He has been acknowledged by his community with numerous awards and acknowledgements in appreciation of his police service. As commander of Barrier Police District, he initiated Operation Safer Communities to draw upon and connect the broad capabilities of the NSWPF to prevent, disrupt and respond to incidents of domestic violence.
His passionate advocacy for rural communities and focus on the wellbeing of regional police are well acknowledged. Over the course of his policing career, he has distinguished himself as an accomplished prosecutor and has taken on leadership roles in some of the most remote communities in the state.
Superintendent Brand is highly regarded by those he leads and is known as a hard-working, ethical and positive role model during challenging times. He has established strong connections with his community based on respect, pride and trust in the police force.
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