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."
AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL RECIPIENTS
Detective Sergeant Lorenda Barber
Detective Sergeant Lorenda Barber attested as a probationary constable on 16 February 1996 and was first posted to Redfern Police Station performing general duties. In 1999, she began a dedicated criminal investigation career. In 2001, she moved to the Child Protection Enforcement Agency where she attained her designation as a detective, devoting much of her career to protecting the most vulnerable in the community. In March 2009, she was promoted to the rank of sergeant and moved to a general duty team leader and supervisor role at Surry Hills Police Area Command.
Since 2012, Detective Sergeant Barber has committed her career to the Child Abuse Squad, working across a number of locations including metropolitan Sydney, The Entrance, Newcastle, the Hunter and the Mid North Coast and, more recently, in Port Macquarie.
Detective Sergeant Barber is an exceptional criminal investigator and an outstanding advocate for the protection of children. In her current role at Port Macquarie, she leads a team of investigators and has instilled a strong team culture to ensure reports of child abuse are thoroughly investigated and offenders charged.
Her strong, uncompromising work ethic, together with her commitment to investigating victim-centred crimes and child abuse offences, and her advocating for the safety of children, make Detective Sergeant Barber an outstanding role model for police officers across the state and, importantly, for the next generation of criminal investigators dedicated to the protection of children.
Throughout her career, Detective Sergeant Barber has demonstrated remarkable resilience, sound judgment and an unwavering commitment to protecting children from abuse. Her passionate advocacy and professional investigative skills, dedicated to the care for young vulnerable victims, has saved the lives of countless children and bought some of the most serious offenders to justice.
Detective Sergeant Laura Beacroft
Detective Sergeant Laura Beacroft joined the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) on 4 May 2001 and was posted to Blacktown Police Area Command, before commencing her criminal investigation career in 2004 and being designated as a detective in July 2005. In 2006, she transferred to the State Crime Command Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad and was promoted to the rank of detective sergeant in August 2015. She was seconded to the Homicide Squad until 2018, after which she returned to the Sex Crimes Squad, where she currently serves as a team leader in the Investigations Team.
Detective Sergeant Beacroft has consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment and professionalism in her drive to improve the quality of investigative responses provided to victims of sexual violence in NSW. She has been commended for her dedication to major investigations, including unsolved homicides under Strike Force Womboola in 2004, and recognised for her contributions to Strike Force Borang, Strike Force Southwood in 2022, and Strike Force Middural, which examined serious offences involving young victims in Pennant Hills and South Turramurra. More recently, she led a complex investigation into a serious incident involving a 17-year-old victim in Liverpool, resulting in the arrest of four alleged offenders.
Her significant body of work, relentless investigative tenacity and commitment to positive investigative practices that support the most vulnerable in the community set a clear example of commitment. The dedication and professionalism demonstrated by Detective Sergeant Beacroft highlight her unwavering contribution to the NSWPF and the community.
Superintendent Darren Brand
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.
Sergeant Sally Cox
Sergeant Sally Cox joined the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) in March 1982 and is currently the longest-serving female officer in NSW, with almost 44 years of continual service. She has remained an operational and frontline officer throughout the course of her career.
Sergeant Cox was first posted to Redfern Police Station, followed by transfers to operational and investigative duties in Juvenile Crime, Crime Agencies, the Joint Investigation Response Team and Blue Mountains Local Area Command. In 2010, she was promoted to the rank of sergeant at
Flemington, later returning to Penrith. Since 2020 she has been the team leader of the Nepean Domestic and Family Violence Unit, managing the state's largest volume of domestic violence incidents.
Since 1985, her career has primarily focussed on the Western Sydney metropolitan area. She has completed specialist investigative work in child protection, resulting in her designation as a detective in 1989. She has been a passionate advocate for victim support and protection, highlighted by her investigative work in the field of child protection and domestic-violence-related offences. She has worked closely with external agencies to ensure the ongoing needs of victims and the community are met following police intervention.
Leaning on her years of policing experience, she has become a strong role model for junior staff, generously sharing advice and guiding the next generation of police officers with patience, encouragement and genuine care. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated resilience, sound judgment and an unwavering commitment to community safety and has served as an inspirational example for women in policing.
Sergeant Cox is an accomplished police officer who continues to perform her duties with outstanding dedication, service, diligence and integrity.
Detective Superintendent Adam Johnson
Detective Superintendent Adam Johnson joined the New South Wales Police Force in January 1991, first posted to the Kogarah Patrol performing uniform duties before transferring to the Bankstown police station and pursuing a criminal investigation career.
In 2000, he transferred to the Miranda police station achieving his designation as a detective. He was promoted to a detective sergeant in 2003 and to a detective inspector in February 2007, within the Specialist Operations team. In 2017 he was appointed as the staff officer to the Deputy Commissioner of Metropolitan Field Operations.
In 2019 Detective Superintendent Johnson transferred to Surry Hills Police Area Command as a crime manager. In August 2020, he was promoted to the rank of superintendent and took command of Auburn Police Area Command, and later serving as the commander of Bankstown police station from 2021.
His transfer to Bankstown police station coincided with the strict COVID-19 lockdowns, requiring him to quickly establish strong relationships with community, religious and political leaders to maintain positive police-community relations. In addition to leading the community through the Delta and Omicron COVID-19 outbreaks, Detective Superintendent Johnson led policing operations into a
number of high-profile organised crime network murders, shootings and critical incidents.
In 2024 Detective Superintendent Johnson transferred to be the operations manager for the Central Metropolitan Region which has involved leading roles for policing significant protest activity. This included commanding the Sydney Harbour Bridge protest in August 2025, considered as one of the largest protest ever held in Australia.
Detective Superintendent Johnson exemplifies professionalism, courage and an unwavering commitment to policing. He has set the highest standards of integrity, authentic leadership in the protection of the vulnerable, community cohesion and the betterment of the policing profession.
Chief Inspector Paul Martin
Chief Inspector Paul Martin joined the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) as a probationary constable on 23 April 1993. He was initially posted to the Castle Hill Police Station and later to the Fairfield Patrol. In July 2001, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, transferring to the Blacktown Police Station as the education officer, where he also performed general and ceremonial duties, and supervision.
In February 2005, Chief Inspecter Martin was promoted to the rank of Inspector and took command of the NSWPF Protocol Unit, a position where his commitment to proud traditions brought significant credit to the NSW Police Force. He transferred to the Dog Unit as the operations manager in November 2009, before returning to Green Valley in October 2013 and later Liverpool as a duty officer. Chief Inspector Martin has been an operational command inspector at Green Valley and Liverpool Police Area Commands since 2014. He actively leads and manages the frontline response to significant crimes within the area including homicides, violent home invasions, domestic violence, search warrants and police welfare, all the while maintaining his dedicated support and commitment to NSW Police Legacy.
Chief Inspector Martin joined the Board of Directors for NSW Police Legacy in 2006 and has passionately contributed his time and energy to the children and young adults the charity supports. He remains a senior supervisor and continues to play a major role in the planning and running of camps for young people.
Chief Inspector Martin is widely recognised as a mentor, guiding young police officers through challenging periods in their careers and offering his knowledge and experience with care and professionalism. He is regarded by colleagues as someone who provides real support through visible, ethical and motivated leadership. Chief Inspector Martin's leadership, devotion and tireless work in support of the police family have been unwavering.
Detective Chief Inspector Terrance O'Neill
Detective Chief Inspector Terrance O'Neill joined the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) in
August 1984, beginning his service at 15 Division, Randwick and Mascot Police Patrols. In January 1994 he commenced his long and distinguished career as a skilled criminal investigator at Mascot then later as Botany Bay Local Area Command.
In December 1995, he was awarded his designation as a detective and promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant in August 2000 at Eastern Beaches Local Area Command. In 2005 he was promoted to the rank of Detective Inspector, transferring to the Canobolas Local Area Command to take up the role of Crime Manager. He later returned to Hurstville and Sutherland as Crime Manager, later Sutherland Shire Police Area Command, before taking up his current role as the Manager of the Detective Training Unit.
Detective Chief Inspector O'Neill has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment across numerous operational, investigative, project and policy development roles. He successfully led the redesigning and delivery of the Detective Education Program and introduced the Detective Designation Course, transforming it into a robust, contemporary program for today's investigators.
His exemplary leadership within the Detective Training Unit has significantly enhanced the development of the current generation of highly capable criminal investigators, overseeing specialist programs that further strengthen the professional development of investigative capabilities statewide.
He has received numerous commendations for outstanding results in preventing, disrupting and responding to serious and organised crime. He has represented the NSWPF interstate and internationally, modelling professionalism, integrity and expertise.
Demonstrating resilience and collaborative leadership, Detective Chief Inspecter O'Neill has managed reform and new initiatives, financial accountability and stakeholder engagement with professionalism and transparency. His strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement exemplifies the highest standards of policing and public service.
Through his achievements, Detective Chief Inspector O'Neill has not only excelled in leadership and program implementation but also made a lasting impact on investigative capabilities, officer development and community safety, embodying the values and vision of the New South Wales Police Force.
Detective Inspector Nigel Warren
Detective Inspector Nigel Warren joined the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) on 3 January 1988 and was first stationed at the Petersham Police Station. In 1991, he joined the Special Operations Group, undertaking specialist tactical duties and assignments.
In June 1993, he commenced criminal investigation duties and was awarded his designation as a detective on 1 December 1995. Detective Inspector Warren transferred to Crime Agencies in 1997 as a key member of Task Force OAK, which targeted organised crime syndicates. In 1999, he joined the Homicide Squad, consistently demonstrating diligence, dedication and commitment to homicide investigations and was promoted to the rank of detective sergeant in July 2004.
In May 2006, Detective Inspector Warren transferred to the Sex Crimes Squad, leading investigations with compassion and resolve overseeing sensitive and high-stakes cases for more than 14 years. He returned to the Homicide Squad in 2020, bringing renewed focus and strategic direction to some of the state's most challenging unsolved cases. In September 2021, he was promoted to rank of detective inspector as the investigation's coordinator of the Unsolved Homicide Team, where he has continued to lead with distinction, driving innovation and new investigative techniques.
Detective Inspector Warren is responsible for overseeing and directing the NSWPF response to unsolved homicides, including unsolved suspicious deaths and missing persons cases. This involves the difficult and complicated task of managing, monitoring, assessing and prioritising more than eight hundred unsolved homicide cases across NSW. Between 2021 and 2023, Detective Inspector Warren coordinated the NSWPF response to the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTQI Hate Crime and recommendations arising from the Commission's final report.
Detective Inspector Warren has been at the forefront in aligning the NSWPF with contemporary policy and investigative procedures expectant of government and the community. He exemplifies professionalism, protection of the vulnerable and unwavering commitment to justice.
