In a first for law enforcement agencies across the country, the unwavering loyalty and dedication of the NSW Police Force's horses and dogs is being recognised through inaugural animal service awards.
The Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley will join NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon to present the inaugural Commissioner's Animal Commendations at an awards ceremony hosted at Aviation Command today (Wednesday 2 September 2026).
The awards will be the first time an Australian law enforcement jurisdiction has recognised the service history of both their dogs and horses.
There will be 19 awards presented to five Troop Horses and 14 Police Dogs.
Eligibility for the award is based on operational capability, demonstrated by a Troop Horse completing 10 years of service or a Police Dog completing five years of service, or by the animal being killed or seriously injured before qualifying for the award.
Troop Horses and Police Dogs play a valuable role in the NSW Police Force, contributing to crime prevention and detection, public safety, search and rescue activities, crowd management and community engagement, while providing specialist skills that cannot be replicated by conventional policing resources alone.
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said the work these animals do could be the difference between life and death.
"The animals of the NSW Police Force are among the best in the world - their expertise is so highly regarded that other jurisdictions call on them when they need specialist support," Minister Catley said.
"Four-legged members of the NSW Police Force have been serving the people of NSW since Beethoven was still composing music and more than a century before the Sydney Harbour Bridge was built.
"Today is about recognising that extraordinary service and saying thank you to the animals that have stood alongside our police for generations."
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has congratulated the recipients of the inaugural awards.
"Today's the first of many Commissioner's Animal Commendation Awards that recognise the extraordinary service of our police horses and dogs," Commissioner Lanyon said.
"These animals are valued members of the NSW Police Force and provide specialist operational needs that can't be achieved through conventional policing alone.
"Every day, these police horses and dogs work to keep the community safe, and I'm proud that we are formally acknowledging the years of service they have given alongside our officers."
Troop Horses receiving awards:
- Troop Horse Royal is receiving the award posthumously, after tragically passing away on 9 February 2026
- Troop Horse Angus
- Troop Horse Ras
- Troop Horse Bodie
- Retired Troop Horse PD
Police Dogs receiving awards:
- Drug Detection Dog Zoran is receiving the award posthumously after passing away on 5 June 2026. The award will be presented to his handler Leading Senior Constable Abby Ashton
- General Purpose Police Dog Chief, with his handler, Sergeant Duncan Abernethy, BM
- General Purpose Police Dog Quo, with his handler, Senior Constable Joshua Douglas
- Cadaver Detection Dog Polar, with her handler, Senior Constable David Jarnet
- Cadaver Detection Dog Wags, with her handler, Senior Constable Christopher Hill
- Drug Detection Dog Sam, with his handler, Sergeant Sandra Laughlin
- Drug Detection Dog Quattro, with his handler, Senior Constable Laura Hinrichsen
- Explosive Detection Dog Snoop, with her handler, Leading Senior Constable Darryl Hawker
- Explosive Detection Dog Winston, with his handler, Leading Senior Constable Joshua Kemmis
- Explosive Detection Dog Fergie, with her handler, Leading Senior Constable Abby Ashton
- Retired General Purpose Police Dog Iroh, with his handler, Senior Constable Chad Halliday
- Retired Drug Detection Dog Lotus, with her handler, Sergeant Lateisha Lomas
- Retired General Purpose Police Dog Grace, with her handler, Sergeant Justin Holl
- Retired General Purpose Police Dog Vulcan, with his handler, Senior Constable Cliff Caines
