SA Police Officer Of The Year Award

SA Police Officer Of The Year 2026
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 2026 open on the 29th of May and close on the 10th July 2026
 
The presentation ceremony is scheduled for the 11th 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.
 
Nominations for the
SA Police Officer of the Year
 
 
 
Recent SA Police Officer of the Year awardees
 
  • 2025: Constable First Class David Brown of Murray Bridge
  • 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
 
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
2021   Senior Constable First Class Michael Klose 
1998   Senior Constable Rick O'Dea
2022   Superintendent Mark Syrus 
1999   Senior Constable Ian Drummand
2023   Senior Constable Gary Wills 
2000   Senior Constable John Hookings
2024   Senior Constable Chris Mailley 
2001   Senior Constable Ian Price
2025   Constable First Class David Brown of Murray Bridge
2002   Senior Constable Michael Thunig  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Need more information?
 
For more information about the SA Police Officer of the Year Award, contact the Club by:
Or write to:
SA Police Officer of the Year
Rotary Club of Unley
PO Box 18
UNLEY SA 5061