The 2026 Australia Day Honours List has recognised seven Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers and three Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers, awarding them the prestigious Australian Police Medal (APM) and Emergency Services Medal (ESM).
Now in its 40th year, the APM recognises sworn officers who have gone above and beyond the expectations of their role or delivered significant contributions to policing.
Recipients of the APM this year include Assistant Commissioner Glenn David Morris, Chief Superintendent David John Cuskelly, Detective Chief Inspector Alisa Anne La Pila, Chief Inspector David Harold Neville, Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Paul Green, Senior Sergeant Mark Jay Whitnall, and retired Chief Inspector Roger Craig Whyte.
The ESM, now in its 27th year, recognises emergency services personnel who have achieved significant outcomes in emergency response, management, training or education and this year recognises Mrs Dannielle Leigh Bull, Ms Jennifer Ann Crump and Ms Amanda Lee Johnson.
Commissioner of Police Steve Gollschewski APM said the nationally recognised medals were a testament to the professionalism and dedication shown by the recipients across their careers.
"The recipients have been recognised for their distinguished service and exceptional leadership, integrity and professionalism," Commissioner Gollschewski said.
"Those recognised today proudly reflect the values of our organisation and the communities they support.
"I congratulate the award recipients on their achievements and thank them for their unwavering dedication to community safety."
SES Chief Officer Mark Armstrong said the awards offered an opportunity to recognise the ongoing dedication, professionalism and service embodied by the state's volunteers during challenging conditions.
"For more than 50 years, SES volunteers have stood beside Queensland communities, providing trusted support before, during and after emergencies," Chief Officer Armstrong said.
"Across Queensland, the SES is relied upon in moments of uncertainty, danger and hardship, from bushfire operations and widespread flooding to complex search and rescue missions.
"Today's recipients have shown sustained excellence, professionalism and leadership in service to their communities, and this national honour is richly deserved."
2026 Australian Police Medal Recipients
Chief Superintendent David John Cuskelly
David Cuskelly has served 40 years with QPS, beginning in 1986 in Far North Queensland. He has led major stations and senior operational roles, including cross-agency COVID-19 coordination, North Brisbane district reform and acting Assistant Commissioner duties during Tropical Cyclone Alfred in 2025.
Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Paul Green
Anthony Green has served with QPS since 1989 and has led Caboolture Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) since 2012, overseeing more than 25 homicide investigations and 30 major organised crime operations. He is widely respected for mentoring investigators, improving workforce systems and leading fundraising support for Blue Hope.
Detective Chief Inspector Alisa Anne La Pila
Alisa La Pila has served 30 years with QPS across serious crime, child protection, organised crime and integrity investigations. She led high-risk matters including Operation Uniform Cavan in 2020 and has strengthened investigative capability through best practice development and mentoring.
Assistant Commissioner Glenn David Morris
Glenn Morris has served more than 30 years in Queensland policing and led major frontline and strategic operations statewide. As Assistant Commissioner Northern Region (2022 to 2024) he directed responses during high youth crime periods in Townsville and Mount Isa and now leads Brisbane Region.
Chief Inspector David Harold Neville
David Neville has served more than 35 years with QPS and specialises in forensic DNA. He played a pivotal role in the 2023 DNA Inquiry, driving major reform and restoring confidence in forensic evidence. He also advanced accreditation and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, hosting the final ISO meeting in Brisbane in 2024.
Senior Sergeant Mark Jay Whitnall
Mark Whitnall has served since 1985, largely in Far North Queensland, strengthening operational readiness and interagency capability. He led counter-terrorism and disaster exercises at Cairns Airport, supported COVID-19 border operations with national agencies and delivered training and mentorship.
Mr Roger Craig Whyte
Roger Whyte devoted over 40 years to frontline policing in critical operational roles including as the officer in charge of Deeragun Police Station, district inspector for Roma, and patrol inspector of the Tactical Services Group in Townsville. He also founded Rugby League Helping the Community[IM1] , a program that connects high-risk youth, including those from detention centres, with QPS officers and former NRL players, to receive mentoring, structured training, and career pathways in sport to break the cycle of reoffending He retired from the QPS in 2025.
2026 EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL RECIPIENTS
Mrs Dannielle Leigh Bull
Dannielle Bull has served Queensland SES since 2006 and led major emergency operations, including incident control during the February 2025 North Queensland floods. Mrs Bull is co-founder of the Scenic Rim Mountain Goats, a specialised SES land search unit operating in rugged and remote terrain using advanced search-and-rescue capabilities through rigorous fitness training and the adoption of drone technology.
Ms Jennifer Ann Crump
Jennifer Crump has volunteered with SES since 2006 and serves as a group leader, trainer and duty officer in Brisbane City. She has supported major flood, cyclone and severe weather responses and strengthens SES capability through long-term training leadership and governance roles.
Ms Amanda Lee Johnson
Amanda Johnson has served over 16 years with SES, specialising in flood rescue and storm response, including high-risk flood boat deployments, evacuations and recovery operations. As deputy local controller for training, she strengthens readiness through incident management leadership and interagency exercises.
