Please note: Images of the NSW Police Officer of the Year and a group photo of category winners will be made available later today.
A detective sergeant from the Child Abuse Squad is this year's Rotary NSW Police Officer of the Year, recognised for her tireless work to protect vulnerable children and hold perpetrators to account.
The annual NSW Police Officer of the Year awards is a joint initiative by Rotary Clubs of NSW and the NSW Police Force to recognise professional excellence and dedication to service by officers and civilian staff.
This year, the awards were presented by NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon APM; Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, The Hon. Yasmin Catley; Rotary Club of Sydney President, Glenn Stafford; retired NSW Police Inspector, Irene Juergens APM; Deputy Commissioners and other senior Rotarians.
The awards were held at a gala dinner at the Hyatt Regency, Sydney, last night (Friday 7 November 2025). Hundreds of police officers, civilian employees, volunteers, their families, Rotarians and corporate supporters came together to recognise excellence in service across ten categories, as well as the overall winner of the Police Officer of the Year.
Judges deemed Detective Sergeant Natasha Williams worthy of the overall award due to her dedication and commitment to helping child abuse victims for more than 15 years.
In announcing the award, Detective Sergeant Williams' integrity, compassion, and meticulous casework were recognised as was her work to make communities safer and set a benchmark for child protection policing.
Since 2010, Detective Sergeant Williams has investigated more than 1,200 child abuse matters, each handled with care, professionalism, and trauma-informed practice.
She played a key role in Strike Force Hermoyne, a six-year investigation into multi-generational abuse, which secured a 34-year sentence in a high-profile sexual assault case.
Detective Sergeant Williams works tirelessly – accepting after hours call outs and urgent risk assessments – collaborating with partner agencies and supporting victims through court.
NSW Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon APM commended the work of Detective Sergeant Williams, which he said exemplified the very best in policing.
"Congratulations to Detective Sergeant Williams on this well-deserved honour. Her dedication to one of the hardest and most mentally demanding roles in the NSW Police Force has been meritoriously recognised," Commissioner Lanyon said.
"Child Abuse Squad officers have a particularly difficult role trying to protect the most vulnerable members of our community.
"Detective Sergeant Williams has conducted her case work with compassion and to the highest standard, earning her the respect and admiration of her colleagues, command and the whole organisation.
"Being a police officer is one of the most important and rewarding ways people can serve their community.
"I felt an immense sense of pride when learning about the unwavering contribution of the other award finalists.
"They deserve to be recognised and thanked for their dedication and passion to keeping the community safe.
"While NSW Police employees do not do their work to earn an award, it is important we reflect and honour some of the outstanding work of both our sworn and unsworn staff."
Commissioner Lanyon congratulated Detective Sergeant Williams for also being named the Investigations & Counter Terrorism Rotary Police Officer of the Year.
Winners in the other award categories:
Metropolitan Field Operations Police Officer of the Year – Sergeant Jonathan Fadeli – Burwood Police Area Command
Professionalism, courage, and care define the leadership of Sergeant Jonathan Fadeli, who consistently delivers strong arrest results and proactive policing outcomes. In 2025, he led Strike Force Camena, seizing nearly seven tonnes of the precursor drug, butanediol and charging five offenders. He's also saved lives – performing CPR on a patient in Summer Hill and re-engaging their pulse before paramedics arrived. Off duty, he coordinated emergency services during a house fire. Sergeant Fadeli mentors junior staff, fosters team morale, and promotes a culture of support and recognition. His leadership, resilience, and commitment to community safety make him an outstanding role model and a deserving nominee for Police Officer of the Year at Burwood Police Area Command.
Regional NSW Field Operations Rotary Police Officer of the Year Award – Sergeant Michael McCormack – Richmond Police District
Sergeant Michael McCormack has served the Richmond Police District since 1988, dedicating most of his career to the Kyogle community. Known for his daily foot patrols and genuine connection with locals, 'Mick' is more than a police officer – he's a trusted mentor and friend. His leadership during the 2019 bushfires and 2022 floods provided calm and reassurance to a community in crisis. Sergeant McCormack supports his colleagues with quiet strength and compassion, always checking in after tough jobs. His deep local knowledge and unwavering presence have earned formal recognition from the mayor and a nomination for Citizen of the Year. Sergeant McCormack embodies country policing – he's steadfast, approachable, and deeply committed to his community.
Investigations & Counter Terrorism Rotary Police Officer of the Year – Detective Sergeant Natasha Williams – Child Abuse Squad
Detective Sergeant Natasha Williams has dedicated over 15 years to protecting vulnerable children and holding offenders to account. Since 2010, she has investigated more than 1,200 child abuse matters, each handled with care, professionalism, and trauma-informed practice. Detective Sergeant Williams played a key role in Strike Force Hermoyne, a six-year investigation into multi-generational abuse, and secured a 34-year sentence in a high-profile sexual assault case. She works tirelessly – accepting after hours call outs and urgent risk assessments – collaborating with partner agencies and supporting victims through court. Her integrity, compassion, and meticulous casework have made communities safer and set a benchmark for child protection policing.
Rotary Police Employee of the Year – Chief Pilot Rodney Clinch – Aviation Command
Bringing over 10,000 hours of Blackhawk experience from the Australian Defence Force, Rodney Clinch rejoined the police in 2024 as chief pilot. Facing recruitment and capability challenges, Mr Clinch led a transformation of the Aviation Command – introducing night vision systems, expanding tactical flight operations, and restoring 24/7 capability. His unwavering leadership enabled critical missions, including rooftop rescues in flooded Taree and complex winch extractions in Warrumbungle National Park. Mr Clinch also overhauled fatigue management and operational procedures, improving pilot availability and safety. His innovation and execution have directly enhanced community safety across NSW. For his outstanding contribution, Mr Clinch was named 2025 State Operations & Emergency Management Employee of the Year.
Rotary Community Award – Senior Constable Jake Dimond – Youth Command
Senior Constable Jake Dimond leads the Engage Program with passion, supporting vulnerable youth through early intervention, mentoring and vocational training. He shines through his hands-on work, driving students to sessions, coordinating logistics, and building strong partnerships. Senior Constable Dimond was instrumental in working on programs that resulted in 87.5% of participants with prior police involvement not reoffending in 2024. He fundraises tirelessly, volunteers outside hours, and connects with Rotary, Lions, and local businesses to expand opportunities. His respectful, consistent presence has helped build trust with families and shifted perceptions of police – especially among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. Senior Constable Dimond also contributes to Fit for Life and Fit for Service, modelling integrity and empathy. His work exemplifies community-first policing and continues to change lives
Customer Service Excellence Award – Senior Constable Jonah Green – South West Metropolitan Region – Domestic Violence High Risk Offenders Team
Exceptional dedication and compassion were evident in the way Senior Constable Jonah Green supported a young victim of domestic violence recently. He spent countless hours documenting her experiences, including a 170-page statement, bringing his patience, empathy, and professionalism to the forefront. His respectful and non-judgemental approach helped restore the victim's trust in police and empowered her to speak out. Despite managing multiple cases, Senior Constable Green remained committed, often working long hours and weekends to ensure the victim's safety and wellbeing. His unwavering support gave the victim courage to leave an abusive relationship and begin rebuilding her life. Senior Constable Green exemplifies the values of the Force – integrity, resilience, and care – and his actions made a lasting impact on someone who needed it most.
Corporate Services Rotary Police Officer of the Year – Inspector Jacqui Cameron – Infrastructure & Assets Command
Both strategic and deeply personal, Inspector Jacqui Cameron's impact across Corporate Services has been felt widely. Since 2023, she has led major projects within Infrastructure & Assets Command – including the Western Region Training Centre in Dubbo and the Justice Bail Division's AV link rollout – resolving complex issues and ensuring successful delivery. She's the go-to contact for regional commands, known for her calm leadership, professionalism, and unwavering support. Inspector Cameron actively mentors staff, fosters team development and contributes to fundraising events like the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. A competitive swimmer and respected colleague, she brings compassion, strength, and excellence to every role.
Irene Juergens (IJ) Award (Sworn Category) – Detective Sergeant Benjamin Sega – Youth Command
Community connection and cultural leadership are at the heart of Detective Sergeant Benjamin Sega's work. In 2022, he founded the Pacific Officers Law Enforcement Network (POLEN) to support Pasifika staff and strengthen ties between police and Pasifika communities. Driven by a passion to break cycles of youth crime, he leads outreach at events like Samoa Day and Waitangi Day, creating positive engagement and visibility. Detective Sergeant Sega launched the "You Should Be a Cop" program and the Pasifika Career Pathways initiative, helping young people pursue policing careers. His work has inspired similar networks across Australia and will culminate in a national conference in 2026. As the first Samoan sergeant in NSW Police Force history, Detective Sergeant Sega is a cultural champion whose leadership continues to uplift communities and inspire change.
Irene Juergens (IJ) Award (Unsworn Category) – Bianca Halloran – Campbelltown City Police Area Command
With a deep commitment to youth justice and collaboration, Bianca Halloran has transformed support for vulnerable young people in Campbelltown through her role as Youth Action Meeting (YAM) Coordinator. She builds trust with at-risk youth, works tirelessly to find practical interventions, and consistently goes above and beyond – often outside business hours. Ms Halloran unites government and non-government services to deliver wraparound support – breaking down silos and improving outcomes. Her reliability, empathy, and collaborative spirit have earned the respect of young people and professionals alike. Ms Halloran's leadership has reshaped the local response to youth vulnerability, making her a standout nominee for the IJ (Irene Juergens APM) Award. Her work reflects true dedication to community and justice.
