An officer who chased down a violent offender in suburban Launceston while off-duty and a group of search and rescue heroes who saved a family stranded in the wilderness were among those recognised today with commendations from Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams.
Members of Tasmania Police Northern District and members of the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management attended a ceremony in Launceston at which medals and clasps were presented to long-serving officers, and Commissioner's Commendations and Certificates of Appreciation were awarded in recognition of exceptional courage, dedication and professionalism.
Also receiving Certificates of Commendation from Commissioner Adams were six Tasmania Police officers and one civilian who responded to a critical incident in the state's north in November 2021.
And Inspector Michael Johnston, now retired, was presented with a 40-year service clasp in recognition of his career (1985-2025) in the state's Northern and Western Districts, in roles including uniform, traffic, drug investigation and criminal investigation.
During the ceremony, Commissioner Adams also presented the inaugural Keith Smith Community Policing Award to Senior Constable Annabel Shegog, and the Investigator of the Year Award to Detective Sergeant Paul Turner of the Cyber Investigations Unit.
Commissioner Adams acknowledged the dedication of all Tasmania Police officers and their positive contributions to their communities.
"While the medals and awards that are given out today recognise the service of individuals, they also represent the behaviours and commitment we seek to define our organisation by," Commissioner Adams said.
"It is not always the large public incidents that demonstrates the commitment and diligence of our people. It's the everyday response to emergency situations where diligent service, support, and a commitment to helping the community we serve is routinely displayed."
Today, Detective Senior Constable Thomas Moir received a Certificate of Commendation for his quick response and courageous actions in March this year when – although off duty – he intervened in a violent altercation in a West Launceston neighbourhood and then chased down and apprehended the suspect.
"I was having dinner with my family, and I recall hearing the scream of a female who was obviously in extreme distress. As I stood up, I saw a male with a face covering, standing over the female on the other side of the road," Senior-Constable Moir said.
"I first checked on the victim, who was visibly injured, who then pointed me in the direction of where the male had run.
"I gave chase and saw him a short time later some way up the street. I had torn my hamstring playing hockey for Tassie in the Australian Police Emergency Services Games the week prior but, thankfully, it just held together to allow me to catch up to him and apprehend him."
"For me, it was right place at the right time and I'm glad I could be there to help.
"To be able to bring some level of comfort to the victim of this crime, and to my own family and the tight knit neighbourhood affected by it, means more than any formal recognition."
Detective Senior Constable Moir joined Tasmania Police in 2014 as a 19-year-old and is currently in the Northern Drugs and Firearms Unit.
A Certificate of Commendation was awarded to a search and rescue team which displayed exceptional courage, endurance, and professionalism during an operation in the Walls of Jerusalem National Park on July 14 to 16 last year.
A family of three, including a child, had got into difficulty in the park and was at serious risk as they raised the alarm with extreme weather closing in.
With hazardous conditions preventing the deployment of the rescue helicopter, the search and rescue team trekked kilometres through swollen rivers, snow, and sub-zero temperatures to locate and provide lifesaving treatment to the family, who were suffering hypothermia.
Tasmania Police Search and Rescue officers Sergeant Leighton Riggall and Senior Constable Simon Triffitt were joined on Monday by Ambulance Tasmania wilderness paramedics Edith Wirsu and Nichola James, and Tasmania SES search and rescue volunteers John Cannell, Thorlene Egerton, Justin Welch and Kym Blechynden.
Sergeant Riggall said it had been an "exceptional outcome" for the team, who had to walk in to the stricken party, and then stay with them for two nights until they could be rescued by helicopter.
"It's a real privilege to have been involved in this incident, where we hiked through a blizzard for five hours, in freezing temperatures and were able to save three lives, including a nine-year-old boy," he said.
Six Northern officers and a civilian were awarded a Certificate of Commendation for their actions during a critical incident at Ravenswood in November 2021.
Senior Constable Jason Conroy, Constable Laura Bestwick, Constable William Mazengarb, Constable Jessica Newell, Constable Deanna Wadley and Constable Dominic Watson responded to an incident at a Ravenswood home in which they located Taiye Whiting giving lifesaving first-aid to his mother. All recipients showed extraordinary bravery during the incident and provided lifesaving assistance at the scene.
Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams presents a Certificate of Commendation to Detective Senior Constable Thomas Moir on Monday. Picture: Tasmania Police
