A crash detective who has investigated some of Victoria's deadliest collisions, a big-hearted police officer helping sick children and a tireless supporter of grieving police families are being honoured this Australia Day.
Four Victoria Police officers have this year been awarded the Australian Police Medal.
It recognises distinguished service by a member of the force.
Detective Sergeant Jenelle Hardiman, of Victoria Police's Collision Reconstruction and Mechanical Investigation Unit, has attended more than 1000 fatal and life-threatening collisions.
They include a fiery 2007 Burnley Tunnel crash which claimed three lives.
She also played a pivotal role investigating the 2023 Daylesford pub tragedy in which five people were killed, a 2016 hit-run on the EJ Whitten Bridge which claimed the lives of two teenagers and a deadly 2019 hit-run crash involving a vision impaired man and his guide dog.
Detective Sergeant Hardiman, whose husband also works in the collision reconstruction team, is known as a go-to expert in Australia and overseas.
A police officer since 1996, she holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering specialising in the friction coefficient of car tyres and road surfaces which helps calculate how fast a vehicle was travelling.
Acting Sgt Nektarios "Nick" Parissis, based at Melbourne North Police Station, has for 14 years led the Victoria Police Christmas Toy Drive which provides gifts for seriously ill children and families staying at Ronald McDonald House.
The much-loved event also sees police bring along their cars and motorbikes, giving youngsters a chance to momentarily escape their health challenges.
Acting Sgt Parissis has been based in Melbourne's inner north for almost all of his 35-year career and is especially passionate about building relationships with the community and organisations like the Salvation Army to support society's most vulnerable and disadvantaged.
He also goes above and beyond to help victims of crime from culturally and linguistically diverse communities to make sure they are understood and supported throughout the investigative process while holding perpetrators to account.
Inspector Kate O'Neill is the local area commander at Whittlesea where she has a steadfast focus on improving community safety and is passionate about supporting junior police.
Before that she worked as officer in charge of both Brunswick Police Station and Brimbank Crime Investigation Unit and in a range of specialist roles.
They include the Clandestine Laboratory Squad, Professional Standards Command and Phoenix Taskforce which was established to investigate the 2009 Murrindindi-Marysville Black Saturday bushfire.
Inspector O'Neill is a dedicated supporter of police families who have suffered the loss of a loved one, volunteering with Victoria Police Legacy since 2009, serving on its board for a decade and becoming chair in 2021.
She champions a program that sees children of fallen officers use their personal loss to do good, performing humanitarian work at remote villages in Cambodia.
Inspector Susan Davis (Nolan), known as a role model and hardworking, natural leader spent her early career in general duties before taking up a role as a police prosecutor.
She is currently the managing principal solicitor of a legal unit dedicated to serving the complex needs of Victoria Police's counter terrorism team.
The role includes providing advice not only on operational matters but anti-terror policy and legislation.
A police officer since 1987, Inspector Davis (Nolan's) approach is always professional and her dedication to the community unparalleled.
She especially values the importance of strong relationships with partner agencies and organisations, recognising such networks play a key role in Victoria's counter terrorism response.
Quotes attributable to Chief Commissioner Mike Bush:
"Be it dealing with some of Victoria's worst crashes, helping our society's most vulnerable or tackling crime on the frontline, each of these police have made Victoria a better and safer place.
"They represent all that is good about our organisation.
"The fact they go about their duties without seeking acclaim or recognition makes them all the more deserving of this incredible honour.
"On behalf of Victoria Police, I thank these members for their dedicated service and contribution to this state."
