Since its inception in 1978, the annual South Australia Police Officer of the Year Award has sought to highlight the service provided to our community by the South Australia Police and recognises outstanding acts of courtesy, courage, kindness, understanding, compassion and devotion to duty by any sworn member of the South Australia Police.
 
What we look for are those officers who perform above and beyond the call of duty. That may be performance on the job, for example courage, handling complex situations in an outstanding fashion, etc., or providing significant off-duty community volunteering.  
 
Each year's winner is chosen by the Rotary Club of Unley from nominations received from individuals and groups in the community.
 
 
Nominations for the SA Police Officer of the Year Award 2024 open on the 31st of May and close on the 12th July, apply to 2024 and the years prior.
 
This prestigious Award will be presented at a public ceremony on September 6th at the Royal Adelaide Show.
 
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.

Nominations for the
SA Police Officer of the year 2024
is closed
 

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

1978 Sergeant First Grade James Furnell
2003 Sergeant Andrew Minnis
1979 Senior Constable Walter Garrett
2004 Senior Constable First Class Kelly Fletcher
1980 Senior Constable First Grade John Dennett
2005 Sergeant Graham Brett
1981 Sergeant Brian O'Goerk
2006 Senior Constable Athalie Edman
1982 Senior Constable Ross Miegel
2007 Sergeant Michele Smith
1983 Senior Constable Gus Smith
2008 Senior Constable First Class Andrew Murphy
1984 Detective First Class Constable Tim Smith
2009 Senior Constable Michelle Hollis
1985 Constable Michael Chipperfield
2010 Senior Constable Monique Anderson and
1986 Senior Constable Kevin Beinke
          Senior Constable First Class Ian Skewes
1987 First Class Constable Chris Waye
2011 Sergeant Caroline Bristow
1988 Senior Sergeant John Reed
2012 Sergeant John Illingworth      
1989 Senior Constable Ronald J. Newton
2013 Senior Constable 1st Class Daniel McGurgan
1990 Constable Russell Disher
2014 Sergeant Paul Scicluna
1991 Constable Andrew Ausserlechner
2015 No award made
1992 Sergeant Paul Evans
2016 Brevet Sergeant Peter Phillips
1993 Sergeant Stephen Hill
2017
1994 Senior Constable Lindsay Filmer
2018 Brevet Sergeant Fred Keal
1995 First Class Constable Susan Slow
2019 Chief Inspector Matthew Nairn
1996 Constable Gary Stewart
2020 General Citation to all of SAPOL
1997 Senior Sergeant Elvio DeMichelis
2021Senior Constable First Class Michael Klose of City Of Adelaide
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
2022 Superintendent Mark Syrus of York North L.S A
2023 Senior Constable Gary Wills of Gawler
2024 Senior Constable Chris Mailley of Naracoorte
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

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.