Ten members of the NSW Police Force will be formally recognised by the Governor-General in this year’s Australia Day Awards.
The Australian Police Medal (APM) is awarded by the Governor-General, General Sir Peter John Cosgrove, AK, MC, for distinguished service by a member of an Australian police force.
The awards are announced twice annually, on Australia Day and the Queen’s Birthday in June.
Acting NSW Police Commissioner, Catherine Burn, APM, has congratulated the recipients on their nominations and commitment to policing.
“I am tremendously proud to have ten officers – with over 300 years combined service – recognised for their dedication to the NSW Police Force,” Acting Commissioner Burn said.
“These officers are a credit to the NSW Police Force, their colleagues, family, friends and the community.
“The officers bring a wealth of experience and professionalism to the force and I’m happy to thank them for their service and congratulate them on today’s awards. They are all very deserving of recipients.”
The nine recipients of the APM are:
– Assistant Commissioner Gary Worboys;
– Detective Superintendent Greig Newbery;
– Superintendent Clinton Pheeney;
– Superintendent Karen Webb;
– Inspector Bruce McGregor;
– Inspector Mark Hargreaves;
– Senior Sergeant Leslie Nugent; and,
– Sergeant John Keough.
In addition to the APM recipients, Mr Norman Angelkovic will receive a public service medal for outstanding public service to the community of New South Wales through the provision of financial and human resources for the State Crime Command.
Assistant Commissioner Gary Worboys
Commander, Southern Region
Assistant Commissioner Gary Worboys joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Junior Trainee in 1981 at the NSW Police Academy, Redfern. He was attested as a Probationary Constable in 1982, where he was stationed at No. 27 Division (Blacktown). He was promoted to his current rank and posted to his current command in 2013.
Assistant Commissioner Worboys was confirmed as a Constable in 1983 whilst performing General Duties at No. 27 Division (Blacktown). He has served at Traffic Branch, and performed Highway Patrol duties at Penrith and Lismore. A/Commissioner Worboys has also worked general duties at Lismore, Lightning Ridge and Goulburn; where in 2000, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent (Commander, Goulburn Local Area Command). A/Commissioner Worboys later served as Local Area Commander at Monaro, Wollongong and Liverpool. In 2013, he was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner, as Commander of Southern Region, his current position.
Assistant Commissioner Worboys has overseen a number of events including; Operation ‘Hurculean’ (targeting heavy vehicles along the Hume Highway) and the AC/DC concerts held at the ANZ Stadium, Homebush. In 2011, he was the NSW Police Force representative for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference (CHOGM) that was held in Perth. Recently, he was the Commander of Operation ‘Unite’ targeting alcohol related crime. He is the Corporate spokesperson for Uniform Standards, Victims of Crime and is an associate member of the Royal Humane Society Awards Committee, as well as the NSW representative on the National Police Memorial Steering Committee.
Assistant Commissioner Worboys strategic approach in the Southern Region is ‘Crime, Community and Our People’, where the emphasis is based on a strong Community Engagement program, that finds police at field days, schools, local shows, sale yards, general stores, as well as police exhibitions and events. This strategy strengthens police and community relations with initiatives to specifically target crime in the community.
Assistant Commissioner Worboys was awarded the National Police Service Medal in 2014, the National Medal in 1997 (1st clasp to the National Medal in 2006) and the NSW Police Medal in 2003 (including 4th clasp to the NSW Police Medal in 2014). In 2012, he received the Commissioner’s Sesquicentenary Citation.
His distinguished service in policing now sees Assistant Commissioner Worboys at the Southern Region, serving the state of New South Wales.
Detective Superintendent Greig Newbery
Commander, Child Abuse Squad
Detective Superintendent Greig Newbery joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Trainee in 1984 at the NSW Police Academy, Goulburn. He was attested as a Probationary Constable in 1984, where he was stationed at Blacktown. He was promoted to his current rank in 2006.
Detective Superintendent Newbery was confirmed as a Constable in 1985 whilst performing General Duties at Blacktown. He has served at Springwood, where he entered the Criminal Investigation field in 1987 and was designated as a Detective in 1990. He has served in the criminal investigation field at the North West Region, North West Region Major Crime Squad – Homicide Unit, National Crime Authority, Coroners Support Unit, Crime Agencies (Drug & Organised Crimes Strike Force Program, South East Asian Crime Squad), and Wetherill Park Target Action Group; where, in 2003, he was promoted to the rank of Inspector. He also later served at Bass Hill Target Action Group and Bankstown as the Crime Manager. In 2006, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent as Commander of State Crime Command Drug Squad. He then served as the Commander of State Crime Command Property Crime Squad, prior to being appointed Commander, State Crime Command Child Abuse Squad, his current position in 2014.
Detective Superintendent Newbery has dedicated a majority of his 30 years of policing to the criminal investigation field, where he has forged a reputation as a professional criminal investigator. He has been part of many investigation teams and coordinated numerous high profile investigations undertaken by the NSW Police Force. In his current role, he has forged relationships with many stakeholder groups to assist in the collective efforts to investigate and reduce the level of child abuse within the community.
Detective Superintendent Newbery was awarded the National Medal in 2000 (1st clasp to the National Medal in 2011) and the NSW Police Medal in 2004 (including 3rd clasp to the NSW Police Medal in 2010). In 2011, Detective Superintendent Newbery was awarded both the Commissioner’s Commendation for Service and Commissioner’s Unit Citation for outstanding and meritorious performance of duty as a member of NSW Police Force Operation Task Force ‘Gap’, the investigation into the murder of John Newman MP. In 2012, he received the Commissioner’s Sesquicentenary Citation.
His distinguished service in policing now sees Detective Superintendent Newbery at the State Crime Command Child Abuse Squad, serving the state of New South Wales.
Superintendent Clinton Pheeney
Commander, Oxley Local Area Command
Superintendent Clinton Murray Pheeney joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Cadet in 1975 at the NSW Police Academy, Goulburn. He was attested as a Probationary Constable in 1978, where he was stationed at No. 33 Division (Castle Hill). He was promoted to his current rank in 2003 and posted to his current command in 2008.
Superintendent Pheeney was confirmed as a Constable in 1979 whilst performing General Duties at No. 1 Division (Central). He has served at Traffic Branch, Hay, Lockhart and Wagga Wagga; where he entered the Criminal Investigation field in 1988 and was designated as a Detective in 1990. He has served in the criminal investigation field at the South West Region Crime Squad, Wagga Wagga and Griffith; where in 1995, he was promoted to the rank of Inspector and later served at the Orana Local Area Command. In 2003, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent as Commander of the Lachlan Local Area Command prior to being appointed Commander, Oxley Local Area Command, his current position in 2008.
Superintendent Pheeney in his 38 year policing career has performed General Duties, Highway Patrol and Criminal Investigation duties at a wide range of metropolitan and country locations. His investigative knowledge has made him a valuable resource to other Commanders and subordinates. His leadership came to the fore in 2011 when Senior Constable David Rixon VA was murdered whilst on duty at Tamworth. As the Local Area Commander, Superintendent Pheeney has been responsible for the provision of leadership and support to all the staff of the Command which continued to function effectively whilst providing support to the family of Senior Constable Rixon VA.
Superintendent Pheeney was awarded the National Police Service Medal in 2012, the National Medal in 1991 (2nd clasp to the National Medal in 2011) and the NSW Police Medal in 2003 (including 4th clasp to the NSW Police Medal in 2009). In 2012, he received the Commissioner’s Sesquicentenary Citation.
His distinguished service in policing now sees Superintendent Pheeney at the Oxley Local Area Command, serving the state of New South Wales.
Superintendent Karen Leanne Webb
Commander, State Surveillance Branch
Superintendent Karen Leanne Webb joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Trainee in 1987 at the NSW Police Academy, Goulburn. She was attested as a Probationary Constable in 1987, where she was stationed at Castle Hill. She was promoted to her current rank in 2006 and posted to her current command in 2013.
Superintendent Webb was confirmed as a Constable in 1988 whilst performing General Duties at Castle Hill, where she later entered the Criminal Investigation field in 1989, and was designated as a Detective in 1991. She has served in the criminal investigation field at Castle Hill, North West Region Crime Squad, Drug Enforcement Agency, Dapto, Warilla. Supt Webb later took up an education and training role with the School of Investigation & Information Management, where in 2000, she was promoted to the rank of Detective Sergeant. She continued her training role at the Field Education Crime Management Unit and the Professional Services Branch, and in 2003, she was promoted to the rank of Detective Inspector, as the Commander of the Professional Services Branch. In 2006, she was promoted to the rank of Superintendent as Commander of the Audit Group, later serving at the Performance Improvement and Planning Command, Holroyd Local Area Command and North West Metropolitan Region as the Operations Manager prior to being appointed Commander, State Surveillance Branch, her current position in 2013.
Superintendent Webb was appointed in 2012 to the role of Chairperson for the 100 Years of Women in Police celebration in 2015 and in 2013 she was selected and appointed as the NSW Police Corporate Sponsor for Women in Policing. She is a member of the Corrective Services Women’s Advisory Committee and the NSW Police Force Women in Policing Executive Committee. She is also an active member on the NSW Police Force Detectives Board. Superintendent Webb is actively involved in providing mentoring, leadership and opportunities for officers of all ranks and administration staff where she values people as the greatest resource of the NSW Police Force.
Superintendent Webb was awarded the National Police Service Medal in 2014, the National Medal in 2004 (1st clasp to the National Medal in 2014) and the NSW Police Medal in 2004 (including 2nd clasp to the NSW Police Medal in 2009).
Her distinguished service in policing now sees Superintendent Webb at the State Surveillance Branch, serving the entire state of New South Wales.
Inspector Bruce McGregor
Duty Officer, Professional Standards
Lake Macquarie Local Area Command
Inspector Bruce Sydney McGregor joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Trainee in 1979 at the NSW Police Academy, Redfern. He was attested as a Probationary Constable in 1979, where he was stationed at No. 13 Division (Campsie). He was promoted to his current rank in 2004 and posted to his current command in 2010.
Inspector McGregor was confirmed as a Constable in 1980 whilst performing General Duties at No. 13 Division (Earlwood). He has also served at Newcastle, Cessnock and Kurri Kurri. In 1984, he commenced Highway Patrol duties serving at Cessnock, Maitland, Sydney District, where in 1994 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, later serving at Newcastle and Parkes. In 2004, he was promoted to the rank of Inspector, where he performed the role as a Duty Officer at Parkes, Brisbane Water Local Area Command, and Lake Macquarie Local Area Command – his current position in 2010.
Inspector McGregor has dedicated a large amount of his service history to Traffic and Highway Patrol duties. He was instrumental in the introduction of ‘school speed zones’ and led the pilot trial for the NSW Government with regard to the implementation of 40km/h speed safety restrictions at school crossings within the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas. He was responsible for the co-ordination of police safety inspections of all 40km/h school crossings and school bus stops within the pilot catchment area.
Inspector McGregor was awarded the National Police Service Medal in 2012, the National Medal in 1995, (including the 1st clasp to the National Medal in 2005) and the NSW Police Medal in 2003 (including 4th clasp to the NSW Police Medal in 2010). In 2012, he received the Commissioner’s Sesquicentenary Citation.
Inspector McGregor has provided a high level of policing to the community for the past 34 years with the upmost professionalism and integrity. In 2013, he received the Rotary Customer Service Excellence Award recognising his distinguished service in the NSW Police Force and, in 2014; he received an award for the Aboriginal Issues Officer (AIO) of the Year.
His distinguished service in policing now sees Inspector McGregor at the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command, serving the state of New South Wales.
Inspector Mark Bradley Hargreaves
Operations Manager, Protection Operations Unit
Inspector Mark Bradley Hargreaves joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Trainee in 1987 at the NSW Police Academy, Goulburn. He was attested as a Probationary Constable in 1987, where he was stationed at Campsie. He was promoted to his current rank in 2007 and posted to his current command in 2000.
Inspector Hargreaves was confirmed as a Constable in 1988 whilst performing General Duties at Punchbowl. He has performed duties at the Media Unit and Kings Cross. Since 2000, he has undertaken duties at the Protective Security Group; where in 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Inspector (Operations Manager) at the Protection Operations Unit (his current position).
For the past 15 years of his policing service, Inspector Hargreaves has dedicated his career to Dignitary Protection. He has coordinated hundreds of visits by Internationally Protected Persons. He has provided protection to Australian Holders of High Office; including Prime Ministers past and present. Inspector Hargreaves’ knowledge and skills have been instrumental in planning for major events in NSW; including operations for the Rugby World Cup 2003, APEC in 2007 – where he was the coordinator and security commander for the visit by President George Bush, World Youth Day 2008, G20 Conferences, and Australia United States Ministerial Consultations. Inspector Hargreaves has commanded numerous operations involving Heads of State, Heads of Government and Royalty.
Inspector Hargreaves has formed strong relationships with Foreign Security agencies and personnel, which has benefited the NSW Police Force. These include Royalty Protection, London Metropolitan Police, Secret Service, Diplomatic Security Service and the US State Department. His high level of expertise in this field and extraordinary dedication is testament to his professionalism. He has managed the complexities of security operations on the largest scale and has led the development of training enhancements in the field of protection. This has led to NSW Police Force being a recognised leader in the discipline within Australia.
Inspector Hargreaves was awarded the National Medal in 2004 and the NSW Police Medal in 2004 (including 2nd clasp to the NSW Police Medal in 2009). In 2013, he received the Commissioner’s Sesquicentenary Citation.
His distinguished service in policing now sees Inspector Hargreaves at the Protection Operations Unit, serving the state of New South Wales.
Senior Sergeant Leslie Nugent
Crime Coordinator, Albury Local Area Command
Senior Sergeant Leslie Michael Nugent joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Trainee in 1971 at the NSW Police Academy, Redfern. He was attested as a Probationary Constable in 1971, where he was stationed at No. 6 Division (North Sydney). He was promoted to his current rank in 1996 and posted to his current command in 1997.
Senior Sergeant Nugent was confirmed as a Constable in 1972 whilst performing General Duties at No. 6 Division (North Sydney). He has performed Special Traffic Patrol and Highway Patrol duties at Traffic Branch, No. 13 Division (Canterbury), Gundagai, Quirindi, Goulburn, Murray District; where, in 1996, he was promoted to the rank of Senior Sergeant (Traffic Coordinator). He later served at the Albury Local Area Command as the Crime Coordinator, his current position.
Senior Sergeant Nugent has spent a majority of his policing career undertaking traffic-related duties in rural NSW, but it is his involvement in the local community where he has truly distinguished himself as a police officer during his 43 years of service. He has developed a strong link between police and the youth of these communities, in particular the local Aboriginal community. He is involved in a number of youth-orientated committees, which extends on many occasions to working in his own time by attending various events aimed at the local Albury youth. Senior Sergeant Nugent is held in high esteem by the Aboriginal and the Albury community. He has been recognised for the support he provides to the Community Services Child Protection Adolescent Team.
Senior Sergeant Nugent was awarded the National Police Service Medal in 2012, National Medal in 1988 (2nd clasp to the National Medal in 2007) and the NSW Police Medal in 2003 (including 6th clasp to the NSW Police Medal in 2014). In 2012, he received the Commissioner’s Sesquicentenary Citation.
His distinguished service in policing now sees Senior Sergeant Nugent at the Albury Local Area Command, serving the state of New South Wales.
Sergeant John Charles Keough
Team Leader, Tweed Byron Local Area Command
Sergeant John Charles Keough joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Trainee in 1972 at the NSW Police Academy, Redfern. He was attested as a Probationary Constable in 1972, where he was stationed at No. 10 Division (Waverley). He was promoted to his current rank in 1988 and posted to his current command in 1997.
Sergeant Keough was confirmed as a Constable in 1973 whilst performing General Duties at No. 10 Division (Rose Bay). He has served at Junee and Lismore; where, in 1988, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and Byron Bay – his current position – in 1997.
Sergeant Keough has been an operational General Duties officer for over 42 years, a role he still performs to this day. His leadership, knowledge and experience of the Byron Bay community is second to none and invaluable in mentoring front line police that have served with him over the years. He is a compassionate, devoted and dedicated officer who is very well respected amongst his peers, fellow officers and the greater Byron community that he serves.
Sergeant Keough was awarded the National Police Service Medal in 2012, the National Medal in 1988 (2nd clasp to the National Medal in 2008) and the NSW Police Medal in 2003 (including 5th clasp to the NSW Police Medal in 2009).
His distinguished service in policing now sees Sergeant Keough at the Tweed Byron Local Area Command, serving the state of New South Wales.
Senior Constable Anthony George Bell
Domestic Violence & Victim Support Liaison Officer
Senior Constable Anthony George Bell joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Trainee in 1986 at the NSW Police Academy, Goulburn. He was attested as a Probationary Constable in 1986, where he was stationed at Maroubra. He was promoted to his current rank in 1995 and posted to his current command in 1986.
Senior Constable Bell was confirmed as a Constable in 1987 whilst performing General Duties at Maroubra, where in 1996 he was appointed the role of the Domestic Violence Liaison Officer (DVLO). He remains in the same role to this day, making him the longest serving NSW Police Force officer in the DVLO position.
Senior Constable Bell is widely recognised in the community that he serves for his compassion, empathy, professionalism, diligence and expertise in dealing with victims of domestic violence. The DVLO position in the Eastern Beaches Local Area Command is a very stressful and demanding role in which Senior Constable Bell has served with distinction.
Senior Constable Bell is held in very high regard by his peers, supervisors, the legal fraternity, domestic violence community groups and, most importantly, by the many victims that he has helped. He is passionate and dedicated about the role he performs, understanding the difference he can make to the lives of people at a very stressful time. He has the ability to impart his knowledge and skills regarding the correct investigation of domestic violence to police on the front line. Senior Constable Bell was instrumental in the establishment of the Waverley Court Women’s Support Group and also played a major role in the establishment of the inaugural 2011 White Ribbon Day Stop Violence Against Women walk in Coogee.
Senior Constable Bell was awarded the National Medal in 2002 and the NSW Police Medal in 2004 (including 2nd clasp to the NSW Police Medal in 2009). In 2012, he received the Commissioner’s Sesquicentenary Citation.
His distinguished service in policing now sees Senior Constable Bell at the Eastern Beaches Local Area Command, serving the state of New South Wales.