The NSW Police Force’s leading expert in dignitary protection has returned to duty since receiving a heart-felt, personal honour on behalf of Her Majesty, the Queen, and her family, NSW Police say.
Detective Chief Inspector, Andrew Slattery, MVO APM, has become the first Australian police officer in about 30 years to be awarded the Member of the Victorian Order.
As the name suggests, the vestige was created by Queen Victoria in 1896 to recognise distinguished personal service to the monarch of the Commonwealth realms.
Det Ch Insp Slattery, who is the Commander of the NSW Police Force Protection Operations Unit, received his honour from the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, during a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London last month.
"The Prince spoke to me about how well he’d been looked after by the unit during his family’s most recent visit to New South Wales in 2014," Det Ch Insp Slattery said.
Following the ceremony, he was invited to St James’s Palace for an audience with the heir to the British throne, Charles, Prince of Wales.
"As close protection officers, we often develop strong professional relationships with the people we are assigned to protect and it was made clear to me that the MVO represents the gratitude of all the members of the Royal family that we’ve looked after over the years, including Queen Elizabeth herself," Det Ch Insp Slattery said.
"I’ve been very fortunate over the years to have been involved in the protection of various heads of state and government," the 33-year police veteran said.
"Although a personal gift from the Queen, this honour also reflects the professionalism, discipline and skills of the entire unit which quietly goes about its business," he said.
Det Ch Insp Slattery has served with the Protection Operations Unit for more than 22 years and was also awarded the US Secret Service’s second-highest award in 2010.
