Held in Inverell on Tuesday, Superintendent Scott Tanner welcomed special guests and Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie, APM, to the RSM Club.

The awards recognised the service and achievements of police employees, current and retired, within the New England Police District. As Western Region Commander, McKechnie presented upward of 30 awards and commendations for commitment and dedication to duty.

Detective Senior Constable Graeme Campbell was honoured for his efforts with Strike Force Durkin, established to locate and arrest dangerous offender, Malcolm Naden, who was on the run for six years after committing murder, an indecent assault and wounding a police officer.

Officers of Strike Force ANSAE, Detective Sergeant Matthew Crotty, Detective Senior Constable Casey McDonald, Detective Senior Constable Mark Symons, Senior Constable Leah Harman, Senior Constable Matthew Robertson and Detective Sergeant Mark Garvey, were awarded a citation for commitment.

The highly-effective investigated targeted two offenders involved in the ongoing supply of MDMA, amphetamines, cocaine and cannabis in the Armidale area, which led to the seizure of drugs and cash, and serious criminal charges.

Detective Senior Constable Travis Murdock was awarded a District Commander's Commendation for dedication to duty with his work in Strike Force FLAIR. During 2013, historic sexual assaults were referred to Armidale police for investigation by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to child sexual abuse.

A two-year investigation led to two offenders charged with over 60 offences. Murdock's passion and sensitivity towards victims encouraged others to come forward and share their stories.

Senior Constable Matthew Robertson was honoured with a commendation for courage and dedication shown, as the first officer on scene, for holding four offenders armed with a knife and sharpened lengths of timber at bay until back-up arrived in October 2015.

The four offenders had entered Domino's Pizza at an Armidale shopping complex where they threatened staff and demanded money. Detective Senior Constable Casey McDonald and Senior Constable Paul Yewdall received certificates of merit for using swift action to force entry into the back entrance premises and back up Robertson.

Officers of Strike Force INGA were awarded the District Commander's Unit Citation for their investigation into a series of armed robberies around Armidale in September 2015.

The first arrest occurred in late September and by October 8 the violent offences had been brought to an end. Officers involved were: Detective Sergeant Matthew Crotty, Detective Senior Constable Casey McDonald, Detective Senior Constable Mark Symons, Detective Senior Constable Leah Harman, Detective sernior Constable Matthew Robertson and Senior Constable Paul Yewdall.

Senior Constable Daniel Swadling and Probationary Constable Mekalah Dillon were first on scene of a crash where a motorcyclist collided with a power pole at Inverell on November 2018. Senior Constable Swadling and Probationary Constable Dillon performed CPR before the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics. They have been awarded for their actions.

Along with Sergeant Andrew McKay, Senior Constable Bradley Fuller, attended an incident in Avern Street Inverell in October 2018 where an offender barricaded himself into the premises and refused to communicate with police.

Fuller used his initiative to resolve the situation by forcing entry into the premises, apprehending the offender and charging him without further harm. He was awarded a commendation for professionalism.

Constable Samuel Murray was also awarded for his efforts in apprehending a domestic violence offender, who broke free of custody in Moree, on December 10, 2018. Constable Murray pursued the man on foot through streets and backyards. During the pursuit, he was bitten by a dog which later required stitches but continued his pursuit before he apprehended and arrested the man.

Detective Senior Constable Bradley Beddoes was honoured for his professionalism and dedication displayed during an arrest of an offender in Strike Force BYATT. As the sole negotiator he controlled a peaceful resolution of the situation without risk of injury to police and others.

Detective Sergeant Brent Falkiner received a District Commander's Commendation for his leadership during Strike Force BYATT. His commitment was displayed from the beginning of the investigation through to the trial and conviction of the accused.

Detective Senior Constable Rebecca Peachey and Detective Leading Senior Constable Matthew Steff were recognised for professionalism to duty shown during high volatile situation during an arrest of an offender on May 28, 2015.

Leading Senior Constable Bradley Neppl and Probationary Constable Nicholas Currie were acknowledged for their assistance in performing CPR on a 74-year-old woman at a home at Moree on July 30, 2017. The actions of these two officers helped save this woman's life.

Senior Constable Aaron Unicomb was among the award recipients; it was his life-saving efforts that helped resuscitate a 47-year-old man, who was unconscious and not breathing at Coonabarabran in February 2016.

Senior Constable Rowland and Constable Benjamin Stanley were acknowledged for their actions to assist a woman suffering a cardiac arrest in Boggabilla on Wednesday March 8, 2017. The officers provided CPR until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived and took over. The officers also assisted with roads blocks on the way to Goondiwindi Hospital.

Mark Robertson and Dan Stewart were honoured for the quick actions that saved the lives of those involved in a serious motor vehicle accident on the Carnarvon Highway South of Mungindi.

Robertson and Stewart witnessed the crash in November 2014. They stopped, contacted 000 and rushed to the aid of persons trapped in the vehicle. As the engine caught fire, the two extinguished the blaze and moved the injured to safety.

Chief Inspector Rowan O'Brien presented an inaugural award called the 'Tanner Cup' for a person in the New England Police District who contributes outstanding service. The first recipient was Superintendent Scott Tanner.

Other National Police Service Medal, National Medal and NSW Police Medal recipients included: