Superintendent Darryl Cox
Superintendent Darryl Cox has dedicated more than four decades to the WA Police Force since commencing in 1984 as a police cadet.
His unwavering commitment to public safety and justice has seen him serve across metropolitan and regional WA in a wide array of frontline and specialist roles, including Organised Crime, Special Crime and Homicide squads.
Renowned for his investigative acumen and compassionate leadership, Supt Cox has played a pivotal role in numerous high-profile operations.
His efforts have led to the successful prosecution of serious offenders and have provided enduring support to victims and their families.
Throughout his career, Supt Cox has held key leadership positions, including as a divisional detective inspector in the Special Crime Division, and a divisional superintendent in the Health Welfare and Safety Division.
His recent work has focused on enhancing support services for ill and injured officers, implementing systemic reforms that have elevated the reputation of agency welfare programs and improved officer wellbeing.
His career history reflects a consistent trajectory of excellence, with acting appointments as commander and director in Workforce Operations and Reform, and a legacy of mentoring and operational leadership across diverse policing environments.
Supt Cox exemplifies the values of integrity, empathy and professionalism. His contributions have profoundly impacted the safety of Western Australians and the effectiveness of the WA Police Force.
Superintendent Paul Daly
Superintendent Paul Daly has dedicated 30 years of exemplary service to the WA Police Force, commencing his career in November 1995. His journey has spanned frontline policing, regional leadership, strategic reform and aviation innovation.
Early in his career, Supt Daly served at suburban stations before taking on regional officer-in-charge roles in Beverley and Margaret River, where he was twice acknowledged as Police Officer of the Year.
Rising through the ranks, he held senior roles in Management Auditing, Structural Reform, and State Crime commands, before being promoted to an inspector in 2019 and a superintendent in 2021.
His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was pivotal, coordinating emergency logistics and inter-agency responses.
Since 2023, he has led Police Air Wing, overseeing the integration of Airbus H145 helicopters and pioneering the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Unit.
His Drone in a Box initiative and national advocacy for regulatory reform have positioned the WA Police Force as a leader in law enforcement drone operations.
Under his command, aerial policing has achieved an outstanding success rate in high-risk evades and significantly improved road safety through proactive surveillance.
Supt Daly's strategic foresight has modernised aerial capabilities, enhancing officer safety and operational efficiency. His legacy is one of innovation, professionalism and unwavering dedication to public safety.
Detective Superintendent Simone Van Der Sluys
Detective Superintendent Simone Van Der Sluys commenced service with the WA Police Force in 1995 and has since built an extraordinary career marked by integrity, leadership and innovation.
Rising through the ranks from constable to superintendent, she gained detective status in 2001 and was awarded Police Officer of the Year in 2002 whilst working at Warwick Detectives.
She then served in specialist units including Major Crime, Licensing Crime Squad and the Sex Offender Management Squad.
Her leadership has been pivotal in transforming investigative practices across the agency.
As the officer in charge of the Sexual Assault Squad, she led Operation Strathdon, a landmark investigation into serious misconduct by a former police officer. Her tenacity and victim-focused approach resulted in more than 144 indictable charges and a 30-year conviction, restoring public confidence in police accountability.
Det. Supt Van Der Sluys later spearheaded reforms within the Internal Affairs Unit, advocating for and establishing the Sexual Misconduct Team (SMT).
Under her guidance, SMT has become a national benchmark for professionalism in handling internal investigations involving sexual misconduct and family violence.
Her career includes strategic roles in the Office of Investigative Standards and representation of the WA Police Force in forums with the Corruption and Crime Commission, Ombudsman WA and other key stakeholders.
She is widely respected for mentoring emerging leaders and fostering a culture of excellence. Det. Supt Van Der Sluys exemplifies the highest standards of policing.
Her enduring commitment to justice, advocacy for victims and transformative leadership continue to shape the future of law enforcement in Western Australia.
Senior Sergeant Gregory Cunningham
Senior Sergeant Greg Cunningham has dedicated more than two decades of exemplary service to the WA Police Force, embodying the highest standards of leadership, integrity and operational excellence.
Since commencing his policing career in May 2003, he has served across a broad spectrum of frontline and specialist roles in both metropolitan and regional settings.
Rising through the ranks, S/Sgt Cunningham has held pivotal positions in units such as the Cold Case Homicide Squad, Special Crime Squad and State Crime Squad, where he led complex investigations and contributed to significant breakthroughs in historical cases.
His leadership extended to the Breach Investigation Team and Operation Tide, where he played a key role in compliance and assurance operations.
In 2021, he was promoted to a senior sergeant and has since served as the officer in charge (OIC) of the State Security Investigation Group and Murdoch Police Station.
In these roles, he has led high-performing teams through some of the state's most challenging policing environments.
His tenure at the State Security Command saw the implementation of Western Australia's first Terrorism Investigation Training course and the development of intelligence-led responses to high-risk demonstrations.
Since August 2024, as the OIC of Murdoch Police Station, S/Sgt Cunningham has transformed the station's operational culture, aligning it with strategic priorities and enhancing community engagement.
His leadership has directly improved public confidence, offender accountability and stakeholder collaboration.
S/Sgt Cunningham's unwavering commitment to public safety, innovation, and ethical leadership has left a lasting impact on the WA Police Force and the communities it serves.
Senior Constable Emma Wright
Since joining the WA Police Force in April 2008, Senior Constable Emma Wright has dedicated more than 17 years to frontline policing, specialising in traffic and crash investigations.
Her career began at Midland Police Station, progressing through the East Metropolitan Traffic Unit before joining the Major Crash Investigation Unit, where she became the first female crash reconstruction officer in 2016.
SC Wright's operational excellence is exemplified by her response to a dual emergency in 2012, where she managed a serious truck crash and a nearby helicopter crash.
Additionally, she displayed her excellence through her compassionate approach as a family liaison officer during a fatal motorcycle crash investigation in 2014.
Her technical expertise was pivotal in a court case where her airbag data analysis contributed to a conviction. SC Wright has also led initiatives to support regional crash scene management, developing streamlined tools for evidence collection and handover.
Beyond policing, SC Wright is a passionate road safety advocate. She regularly presents at the Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia's bstreetsmart events, collaborates with the WA Road Safety Commission, and engages with youth through educational programs.
Her work with the Mathematical Association of WA and Curtin University empowers young women to see the relevance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in policing.
SC Wright's empathetic policing style is shaped by personal experience, ensuring respectful and supportive interactions with victims and families.
We commend each officer for this outstanding personal achievement. Please join us in congratulating them on this very important and significant honour for them, their families and the Western Australia Police Force.
