Ten NSW Police Force officers have been awarded Australian Police Medals (APM) in recognition of their dedication and service as part of the Queen’s Birthday 2022 Honours.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb congratulated the APM recipients, many of whose professional experiences have focused on improving outcomes for our most vulnerable communities.
“Not only is the award a special honour, but it also recognises the valuable contribution these officers make to their community each and every day,” Commissioner Webb said.
“Policing is a unique career, which exposes us to the best and worst of humanity and the APM is recognition of selfless duty to serving and protecting the community.
“On behalf of the organisation, I want to join the families and friends of today’s recipients, to thank them for their dedicated service.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole praised the APM recipients for their ongoing commitment to the policing profession and serving their communities.
“With 313 years of combined service, it’s clear that these officers have dedicated their careers to protecting the people of NSW,” Mr Toole said.
“This important recognition serves as a thank you, not just from their colleagues and the communities they serve so diligently, but also the entire state.”
The APM recipients are:
Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree – Western Region Commander
Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden – Traffic and Highway Patrol Command
Superintendent Karen Cook – Kings Cross Police Area Command
Superintendent Donna McCarthy – Office of the Commissioner, NSW Police Legacy
Detective Superintendent Michael McLean – Anti-Terrorism and Intelligence Group
Superintendent David Roptell – Tweed/Byron Police District
Chief Inspector Stephen Fowler – The Hills Police Area Command
Detective Chief Inspector Brett Smith – Western Region
Detective Inspector Kirsty Hales – Tactical Operations Group
Detective Sergeant Mark Meredith – Orana Police District
The medal recipients are announced twice a year, in January (Australia Day) and June (Queen’s Birthday).
APM RECIPIENT BIOS:
Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree – Western Region Command
Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree joined the NSW Police Force in 1995, with his first posting at Manly Police Station and later the City of Sydney Patrol. In 1997, he transferred to Moree, where he built an outstanding reputation in rural and regional community policing and criminal investigation.
Designated as a detective in October 2002, he performed criminal investigation and child protection duties at Moree and Inverell, before his promotion to the rank of sergeant and transfer to Tingha Police Station in 2003, then Tweed Heads in 2004.
In 2007, he was promoted to the rank of inspector at Bourke, and in 2012 to superintendent, as the Staff Officer to the Deputy Commissioner, Specialist Operations. He has since served as the Commander at Lake Macquarie, Newcastle City and Brisbane Water Police Districts.
Assistant Commissioner Greentree received a commendation in 2010 for dedication and commitment to Aboriginal issues, and for his work as the NSW Police Corporate Sponsor for Customer Service 2013-17. As the Corporate Sponsor, he made substantial changes across the organisation including the introduction of the Community Awareness of Policing Program and implementing victim follow-up recording mechanisms.
In 2020, he led policing responses to two of the largest protests outside Sydney. His calm and confident liaison with the organisers resulted in significant cooperation with police, while balancing the right to democratic freedom within the relevant COVID restrictions.
In July 2021, he was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner, taking command of Western Region. He remains committed to the advancement of Aboriginal community issues.
His work with the Bourke community to introduce alcohol restrictions led to significant decreases in assaults and improved health outcomes. He also led a project to raise the Aboriginal flag at regional police stations.
Assistant Commissioner Greentree models the highest standards of professional policing leadership and is widely recognised for his dedicated policing service to the community.
Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden – Traffic and Highway Patrol Command
Assistant Commissioner McFadden was first stationed at Castle Hill Patrol in 1988 before transferring to the Cumberland Special Operations Group in 1991. He then returned to Castle Hill in 1995, working in criminal investigations and was designated as a detective in 1998. In April 1999, he transferred to the Internal Affairs Investigation Unit and was promoted to the rank of detective inspector in 2002.
In January 2005, he transferred to Hawkesbury Local Area Command as the Crime Manager and relieved periodically as the Commander at Hawkesbury, St Marys, Holroyd and Kuring-Gai Local Area Commands.
He was promoted to the rank of superintendent in late 2010 as Holroyd Local Area Commander and in 2013, transferred to Penrith Local Area Command, where he led the formation of Nepean Police Area Command in 2017.
Assistant Commissioner McFadden has extensive experience in the management of high risk, complex and significant operational situations where he provides highly effective processes and quality operational leadership. At the Penrith and Nepean Commands, he led an Integrated Complex Case Panel, linking a range of government and support agencies to tackle instances of complex social disadvantage across three police area commands. Most recently, he worked in partnership with cultural and community leaders to provide critical leadership of the Fairfield community through the Covid-19 pandemic.
He had been the Fairfield City Police Area Commander since 2020 before being promoted to his current rank of assistant commissioner and Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander.
Assistant Commissioner McFadden is actively engaged in the development of police officers and next generation police leaders. He has been involved in the Superintendents’ Development Program; Inspectors’ Transition Program; Incident Commanders Course; Critical Incident Course and Women’s Leadership Program. In 2017, he was awarded the Commissioner’s Perpetual Award for the Advancement of Women in Policing as a mentor.
Assistant Commissioner McFadden is a consummate dedicated police officer, recognised for his tireless devotion to policing over 34 years.
Superintendent Karen Cook – Kings Cross Police Area Command
Superintendent Karen Cook commenced her service in general duties and was first stationed at Granville until 1999, when she transferred to Tocumwal Police Station, then to Barooga in southern regional NSW in 2001.
In 2004, she returned to Sydney, undertaking duties with the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2005 working at Bankstown and The Hills Local Area Commands. She was promoted to the rank of senior sergeant in 2012 and returned to the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit as Coordinator.
In 2014, Superintendent Cook was promoted to the rank of inspector as a Duty Officer at Rosehill, then worked as the HR Manager, Capability and Youth Command before moving to Fairfield City Police Area Command as a Duty Officer.
She was promoted to the rank of superintendent in 2021 as the Kings Cross Police Area Commander.
Superintendent Cook is recognised as an outstanding police leader who has distinguished herself in frontline policing duties and strong leadership through difficult and challenging times, always maintaining the confidence and trust of her police and the community. She continually demonstrates an enthusiasm and love of the policing profession that sets her above most. She is recognised as a role model for the Force as a skilled practitioner, particularly commended for her leadership and investment in her people and Command.
During 2020-2021, Superintendent Cook quietly and professionally undertook a range of operational and command deployments that ensured frontline leadership was instigated and maintained during the peak impact of the COVID pandemic. She ensured proper governance and supervision of the hotel quarantine strategy and readily stepped into several Commander roles to assist others undertaking COVID-related secondments.
Superintendent Cook is highly commended for her exceptional commitment and devotion to the community and exemplary policing service for over 27 years.
Superintendent Donna McCarthy – Office of the Commissioner, NSW Police Legacy
Superintendent Donna McCarthy was first stationed at Enfield, Burwood and Five Dock Police Stations performing general duties until March 1988, when she transferred to the F District Anti-Theft Squad.
She commenced her criminal investigation career at Ashfield Police Station in March 1990 and was deployed to Task Force OAK in 1992, being designated as a detective two years later. In 1995, she transferred to South Region Crime Squad, followed by deployments to the Drug Squad, Organised Crime, and Homicide and Serial Violent Crime Agency, where she was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
Throughout her career, she has undertaken various positions in the South East Asian Crime, Homicide and the Robbery and Serious Crime Squads, before being promoted to rank of inspector in 2012, transferring as a Duty Officer to Mt Druitt Local Area Command.
In 2019, she was promoted to the rank of superintendent at Police Transport Command before transferring as the Riverstone Police Area Commander in 2020.
Superintendent McCarthy is recognised as an outstanding police leader with a distinguished career in criminal investigation and more recently in frontline police commands. Since 2019, she has worked as the Deputy Sponsor for Aboriginal Engagement, working closely with Aboriginal communities to achieve collaborative partnerships and crime prevention initiatives, to help reduce over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system.
Throughout her career, Superintendent McCarthy has performed her duties with integrity, diligence and a strong sense of respect for the victims of crime and the Aboriginal community. She has forged a reputation as a professional criminal investigator and has worked to engage and build community relationships in achieving common goals of community protection and safety.
Superintendent McCarthy is an outstanding role model for women in policing and a new generation of police officers. She is acknowledged as an exceptional police officer and criminal investigator, driven with a passion and commitment to the policing profession for over 36 years.
Detective Superintendent Michael McLean – Anti-Terrorism and Intelligence Group
Detective Superintendent Michael McLean commenced general duties at Campbelltown Police Station in 1994, before transferring to the Macarthur District Anti-Theft Squad in 1997. In 1998, he returned to Campbelltown undertaking criminal investigation duties, becoming designated as a detective in 2000.
He worked at the Homicide Squad before being promoted to the rank of sergeant at Lake Illawarra Local Area Command in 2002. He was promoted to the rank of inspector in 2005, transferring to St George Local Area Command then Lake Illawarra Local Area Command performing the roles of Duty Officer, Target Action Group Commander and Crime Manager.
In 2012, he was promoted to the rank of superintendent and became the Campsie Local Area Commander. During this time, he successfully created strong links within the diverse multicultural community, gaining the trust of cultural and religious leaders, promoting and working with these leaders to maintain community cohesion in what had been a challenging and often difficult operating environment.
In 2017, Detective Superintendent McLean transferred to the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command as the Operational Assessments Centre Commander, before becoming the Anti-Terrorism and Intelligence Group Commander in 2019.
He has displayed leadership over risk and threat processes, along with investigative responses and other operational activities to mitigate threat in the community. More recently, he has been instrumental in the implementation of the NSW Police Force response to the management of enduring terrorism risk. As the national jurisdictional project lead, his foresight and structured methodology has provided intelligence and investigative led opportunities for police to address new and emerging trends and areas of concern.
Detective Superintendent McLean is recognised as having forged an outstanding reputation in the Force and wider law enforcement community, as a highly skilled thinker and leader across multiple policing portfolios.
Superintendent David Roptell – Tweed/Byron Police District
Superintendent David Roptell was first posted to Campsie performing general duties and later licensing operations across the Endeavour Region and Bankstown Local Area Command.
In 2001, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant at Bankstown and to inspector as a Duty Officer at the Rose Bay and Redfern Local Area Commands, building an extensive career of operational policing in difficult and vulnerable communities within the city and Sydney’s south-west.
While at Redfern, Superintendent Roptell enthusiastically embraced and supported strategies designed to connect with and build partnerships with Aboriginal youth and community to prevent crime and improve relationships between police and the wider aboriginal community; gaining knowledge and experience that would later influence his leadership and community involvement.
In 2014, he was promoted to the rank of superintendent as Staff Officer to the Deputy Commissioner, Specialist Operations, and later took command of the South West Sector within Police Transport Command.
In 2017, he developed and implemented the Police Transport Youth Strategy, establishing ‘Youth Express’, a program aimed at identifying youth at risk, diverting them from the criminal justice system and connecting individuals to PCYC programs.
As the Youth and Crime Prevention Commander, and in partnership with the PCYC, Superintendent Roptell led the implementation and reinvigoration of Youth Diversionary Programs in support of the Police Commissioner’s ‘Rise Up’ Strategy in 2018.
He has excelled in youth work and, as a member of the NSWPF Youth Advisory Group, focused on youth coming into adverse contact with the criminal justice system, improving service delivery and mitigating youth related crime in communities.
In 2019, he transferred as the Tweed/Byron Police District Commander and has provided exemplary leadership and, since March 2020, managed the impact of Queensland and NSW border closures on northern NSW communities, including numerous public order operations.
With 32 years of service, Superintendent Roptell is recognised as an outstanding police leader committed to the policing profession, with particular care for youth and community safety across NSW.
Chief Inspector Stephen Fowler – The Hills Police Area Command
Chief Inspector Stephen Fowler commenced his service in general duties at Regent Street and Redfern Police Stations, before transferring to Stuart Town in 1988, Coonamble in 1991, Kempsey in 1993 and then commenced Accident Investigation Duties in 1994.
In 1996, he returned to Sydney as a General Duties Supervisor at Chatswood, leading to further promotion to the rank of inspector in 2005.
Chief Inspector Fowler is recognised for his long and distinguished career, having served the community in both rural and metropolitan areas, his diversity of policing experience and significant acts of courage.
He is a respected professional role model in policing, acknowledged for his diligence and high ethical standards. He has been recognised externally on several occasions for his professionalism and ethics by the NSW Ombudsman and his approach to complaint management is well known throughout the Force.
In July 2019, Chief Inspector Fowler suffered a personal tragedy and his family faced significant public attention but throughout, he continued to advocate for proper due process and justice, such is his professionalism, decorum and reputation as a highly respected police officer serving the community of NSW for more than 40 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Brett Smith – Western Region
Detective Chief Inspector Brett Smith was initially posted to the Seven Hills Police Station before transferring to Greenethorpe in 1994, commencing a long and distinguished career in the Western Region of NSW.
In 1998, he transferred to Cowra, undertaking criminal investigation duties and subsequently completing the Detective Education Program. In 2003, he was promoted to the rank of senior sergeant, as the Western Region Operations Coordinator before being promoted to inspector in 2005.
Detective Chief Inspector Smith has committed his entire career to regional and rural policing and the support of communities in Western NSW. His policing service is steeped in frontline operations and criminal investigations that have led to significant arrests and prosecutions of serious criminal offences and the protection of vulnerable remote communities.
He has instigated numerous policing strategies in the region, including, but not limited to unsolved homicides, rural crime and stock theft, illicit drug supply and the planning, response and recovery of emergency management operations.
During the recent COVID pandemic, Detective Chief Inspector Smith’s exceptional knowledge within the region was vital in establishing and facilitating the extensive resourcing and logistical support to remote Aboriginal communities, towns and villages.
Detective Chief Inspector Smith is recognised as a cornerstone of policing in the Western Region. He is acknowledged for his outstanding knowledge and expertise, proving invaluable in times of emergency and in day-to-day operations. He has made a significant impact on policing operations in the Western Region and been instrumental in the expansion of police resources, surveillance capabilities and vehicles and equipment to greatly increase investigative abilities.
Detective Chief Inspector Smith is widely recognised as a mentor to the many Commanders across the region. His reputation and outstanding professionalism, loyalty and devotion to community focused policing and dedication to the people of NSW defines his 30 years police career.
Detective Inspector Kirsty Hales – Tactical Operations Group
Detective Inspector Kirsty Hales was first posted to Chatswood Police Station and later to Surry Hills Local Area Command performing general duties.
In April 2000, she commenced her criminal investigation career with the Joint Investigation Response Team at Chatswood and in 2002, was designated as detective. She also performed criminal investigation duties with the Coronial Investigation Team and the Crime Management Faculty, prior to her promotion to the rank of sergeant in September 2006. As a detective sergeant, she continued her work in child protection with the Child Abuse Response Team and State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad.
Further, Detective Inspector Hales has been a police negotiator since 2001 and since being promoted to the rank of inspector in 2017, continues to refine her skills and expertise to assist vulnerable communities.
The nature of Detective Inspector Hales’ duties as a negotiator often limits public awareness and acknowledgement of the vital and intense negotiations in which she has contributed and saved the lives of those in the depths of despair and of imminent harm. She has demonstrated outstanding professionalism and specialised policing expertise, working in many dangerous, difficult and challenging circumstances to resolve hostage situations, self-harm attempts, high-risk arrest operations and many other complex matters requiring expert assistance and negotiation.
Throughout her career, Detective Inspector Hales has performed her duties with a strong sense of respect for the victims of crime and to children from neglect, abuse and horrific sexual assaults. She has forged a reputation as a professional criminal investigator, who has extended her expert knowledge with several academic qualifications.
Detective Inspector Hales is an exceptional police officer and criminal investigator, who has dedicated over 26 years to the policing profession and the protection of the most vulnerable.
Detective Sergeant Mark Meredith OAM – Orana Police District
Detective Sergeant Mark Meredith joined the NSW Police Force as a probationary constable in 1988 and was posted at Dubbo Police Station, where he has dedicated his policing career to rural NSW and criminal investigation and is recognised for his selfless commitment to regional communities.
Detective Sergeant Meredith has been at the forefront of many major investigations in drug distribution and homicides, many of which have had significant national focus, and has led crime reduction strategies that have achieved outstanding results in prosecutions and regional crime prevention.
After suffering a personal tragedy, he became even more engaged with the community to educate young males on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. He is recognised across his community as a trusted and valued police officer.
Detective Sergeant Meredith’s ties with the community in significant investigations has enabled a streamlined flow of information between investigators, victims and families. He has shown outstanding victim care at times of crisis and is known to continue that support in the months and years that follow.
Detective Sergeant Meredith is highly commended for his exceptional commitment and devotion to his community and exemplary policing service for more than 34 years.
