The 2017 Manning Great Lakes Local Area Command Awards were held at Club Taree on Thursday, March 9. Two of Gloucester’s police received awards, Senior Constable Shaun Forrester and Senior Constable Robin Crick.

Manning Great Lakes Local Area commander Peter Thurtell said: “It’s an opportunity for NSW Police to formally and officially say thank you to their police officers in front of their family and friends. 

“We thank them for their professionalism, dedication and service,” he added. 

Senior Constable Forrester was awarded a New South Wales Police Medal for more than 10 years service after joining the NSW Police Force on December 19, 2003. He was stationed at Eastwood, following his initial training and worked at Burren Junction before to transferring to the Manning Great Lakes Local Area Command in 2011, stationed at Gloucester. 

Senior Constable Crick received two awards. The first was the Northern Region Commander's Certificate of Merit in recognition of his professionalism in investigating the theft of a large number of firearms and high calibre ammunition on July 8, 2012. He was recognised for his tireless investigation in locating firearms stolen from various break and enters within Brisbane Water and Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Commands. 

Senior Constable Crick was commended for his tenacity and commitment to duty in achieving an outstanding result whilst eliminating the opportunity to further crimes to occur. 

He was also awarded the Manning Great Lakes Local Area Commander's Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his dedication and commitment to duty during Operation Carpet.

Operation Carpet investigated the ongoing supply of methyl amphetamine in the Manning Great Lakes Local Area Command. Following months of lengthy inquiries, utilising a range of investigative techniques, investigators arrested nine persons for a total of 21 charges relating to goods in custody, drug supply and possession between February 2015 and March 2016. Senior Constable Crick was responsible was reviewing and analysing hours of electronic evidence and assisting investigators develop strategies and tactics to capture admissible evidence. 

Superintendent Thurtell said the command rates very highly in arrests and service to the community across the State. In customer service the command rates at number one in NSW. National, State and local awards were received for long service and specific incidents where the police officer displayed actions beyond what is required of them. 

“These individual instances make a person’s career.”