Inverell police officers recognised at state crime awards

Detective Sergeant Anthony Ehsman was presented with a commander's citation at the State Crime Command Excellence Awards in Sydney.

He was joined by Detective Sergeant Amy Cody and Detective Senior Constable Jayne Gallagher.

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All three received awards from their time working together in the child abuse unit in Inverell.

They were part of a strike force investigation into the historical sexual assault abuse of multiple children which was completed in 2020.

The person of interest was sentenced to 26 years jail.

"We're a small unit and we've worked on a lot of jobs together," Detective Sergeant Ehsman said.

"They (Cody and Gallagher) are very confident and tenacious detectives. They investigate thoroughly and are a real asset to the child abuse unit.

"It was great to get down there together."

Detective Ehsman said the accolade was also recognition for Matthew Johnson who had since left the force and a number of other detectives who had worked on aspects of the case.

Detective sergeant Cody was promoted and is the team leader of the child abuse unit, based at Narooma.

Detective senior constable Gallagher remains in the Inverell unit, and is now its longest serving investigator.

Meanwhile, detective sergeant Ehsman is now investigations manager of the New England Police District.

He is still based in Inverell where has spent more than 20 years.

The 56-year-old joined the police force in 1992 and has worked at Bourke, Moree and Sydney.

"I was the first detective sergeant for the child abuse unit at Inverell," he said.

"It's always been a small unit, but it's grown to have five officers in it now.

His grandfather Matthew Colley 'Col' Ehsman joined the New South Wales Police Force and served in Inverell in 1920.

In 1965, his father, Montgomery Churchill 'Monty' Ehsman followed in his footsteps and joined the force.

"Given my father was a police officer we moved around a lot and I lived in Inverell for a few years before joining the force," Anthony said.

"I've been back here for 20 years or more as an adult, so I definitely call it home.

"Like most people around town I can comfortably say that it's a great place to live and work."

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