SA Police Officer of the Year Award
The Rotary Club of Unley’s award of SA Police Officer of the Year was envisaged by members of the Club as a community award to annually recognise and honour a Police Officer who provides outstanding service to the community of South Australia.
After consultation, agreement and support from SAPOL, the inaugural Award was made in 1978 and has been continued most successfully and proudly ever since. It is highly regarded by the officers of the South Australia Police.
Eligibility involves being a sworn member of the South Australia Police and characterised by outstanding acts of courtesy, courage, kindness, understanding, compassion and devotion to and performance above and beyond the call of duty.
Significant performance examples include but not limited to the commanding of respect a gratitude of the community, handling of complex situations and providing significant off-duty community volunteering.
Each year the Rotary Club of Unley initiates the process of seeking nominations from individuals and community groups timed as a mutual launch with SAPOL. A Poster is used and distributed throughout the State to local councils, other service groups and Rotary Clubs plus through internal SAPOL media.
The Club receives all nomination made during the nomination period after which an experienced panel select a winner. The selected Officer is then run by SAPOL for their endorsement.
This prestigious Award is then announced and presented at a public ceremony at the Royal Adelaide Show by the President of the Rotary Club of Unley and the Commissioner of SAPOL.The Presentation is professionally arranged by SAPOL.
Nominations for the SA Police Officer of the Year Award 2025 open on the 30th of May and close on the 11th July 2025
The presentation ceremony is scheduled for the 5th of September where the general public is most welcome to attend.
The high quality and number of nominations received by the Club each year demonstrates the esteem and respect the community holds for the members of the SA Police and the importance that South Australians place on the Police Officer of the Year Award.
We invite members of the public to consider and nominate an Officer they feel would be a worthy recipient of this Award.
Further details of Nomination and Nominator requirements and the Nomination Form can be obtained in this link.
Recent SA Police Officer of the Year awardees
- 2024: Senior Constable Chris Mailley of Naracoorte
- 2023: Senior Constable Gary Wills of Gawler
- 2022: Superintendent Mark Syrus of York North L.S A
- 2021: Senior Constable First Class Michael Klose of City Of Adelaide
- 2020: General Citation to all of SAPOL
- 2019: Chief Inspector Matthew Nairn of City of Adelaide
- 2018: Brevet Sergeant Fred Keal of Mt Barker
- 2016: Brevet Sergeant Peter Phillips of Mt Gambier
- 2015: No award made
- 2014: Sergeant Paul Scicluna of Mount Gambier
- 2013: Senior Constable First Class Daniel McGurgan of Waikerie
- 2012: Sergeant John Illingworth of Thebarton
- 2011: Sergeant Caroline Bristow of Berri
- 2010: Senior Constable Monique Anderson of Whyalla and Senior Constable First Class Ian Skewes of Nuriootpa
- 2009: Senior Constable Michelle Hollis of Elizabeth
Awardees since 1978
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1978 Sergeant First Grade James Furnell
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2003 Sergeant Andrew Minnis |
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1979 Senior Constable Walter Garrett
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2004 Senior Constable First Class Kelly Fletcher |
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1980 Senior Constable First Grade John Dennett
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2005 Sergeant Graham Brett
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1981 Sergeant Brian O'Goerk
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2006 Senior Constable Athalie Edman
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1982 Senior Constable Ross Miegel
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2007 Sergeant Michele Smith
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1983 Senior Constable Gus Smith
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2008 Senior Constable First Class Andrew Murphy
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1984 Detective First Class Constable Tim Smith
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2009 Senior Constable Michelle Hollis
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1985 Constable Michael Chipperfield
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2010 Senior Constable Monique Anderson and
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1986 Senior Constable Kevin Beinke
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Senior Constable First Class Ian Skewes
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1987 First Class Constable Chris Waye
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2011 Sergeant Caroline Bristow
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1988 Senior Sergeant John Reed
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2012 Sergeant John Illingworth
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1989 Senior Constable Ronald J. Newton
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2013 Senior Constable 1st Class Daniel McGurgan
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1990 Constable Russell Disher
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2014 Sergeant Paul Scicluna
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1991 Constable Andrew Ausserlechner
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2015 No award made
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1992 Sergeant Paul Evans
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2016 Brevet Sergeant Peter Phillips
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1993 Sergeant Stephen Hill
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2017
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1994 Senior Constable Lindsay Filmer
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2018 Brevet Sergeant Fred Keal
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1995 First Class Constable Susan Slow
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2019 Chief Inspector Matthew Nairn
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1996 Constable Gary Stewart
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2020 General Citation to all of SAPOL
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1997 Senior Sergeant Elvio DeMichelis
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2021Senior Constable First Class Michael Klose of City Of Adelaide
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1998 Senior Constable Rick O'Dea
1999 Senior Constable Ian Drummond
2000 Senior Constable John Hookings
2001 Senior Constable Ian Price
2002 Senior Constable Micheal Thunig
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2022 Superintendent Mark Syrus of York North L.S A
2023 Senior Constable Gary Wills of Gawler
2024 Senior Constable Chris Mailley of Naracoorte
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Need more information?
For more information about the SA Police Officer of the Year Award contact the Club by email or write to:
SA Police Officer of the Year
Rotary Club of Unley
PO Box 18
UNLEY SA 5061
South Australia Police Officer of the Year is a project of the Rotary Club of Unley Inc.