TOP EFFORTS: Senior Constable Jason Matters was presented with a Canobolas Local Area Command citation for his work in a high speed pursuit and the eventual arrest of an offender. Senior Constable Mark Hevers was recognised for his service to the community by following an armed man into a house and arresting him. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0320policeaward
ORANGE police officers continue to put their lives on the line for their community every day and on Tuesday were recognised for their dedication to the job with awards presented by senior officers of the western region and Canobolas Local Area Command.
It was a proud day for Senior Constable Mark Hevers who has been an officer for 17 years.
Senior Constable Mark Hevers along with two other officers risked their lives to enter a house to disarm a man who had been walking the streets making threats with a loaded firearm.
“It was a good feeling that day to know that a situation which could have had a very different outcome was resolved,” Senior Constable Hevers said.
“We were getting so many reports of this guy being out on the street, but then when you finally walk into a house where you know he is, of course you never quite know what you’re walking into,” he said.
His colleague in highway patrol at Orange Police Station, Senior Constable Jason Matters was recognised for his exhaustive efforts in bringing an habitual traffic offender before the courts after he led police on a wild chase that reached speeds of 200kph between Orange and Bathurst, running several drivers off the road.
“It was a good outcome for the community because he was sent to jail for three years, which took him off the road,” he said.
Other awards handed out to officers during a ceremony in Cowra on Tuesday included Western Region Commander’s certificates to Senior Constable Lynne Stone, Constable Tim Brackenridge and probationary Constable Lucinda Rheinberger for their efforts during an arrest in Orange last year where a man with a firearm threatened himself and his family.
Senior Constable Miles Burden was presented with a Canobolas Local Area Command award for the way he provided care and support to a victim trapped in a vehicle while ambulance and other police were on the way.
Cliff Rylance and Anthony Healy were both recognised for their volunteer efforts with NSW Police.
Steve Zieltjes and his wife Michelle received NSW Police bravery and courage awards in their efforts at the scene of a motor vehicle collision in August last year.
The awards were presented by assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie APM, and Canobolas Local Area Commander Superintendent David Driver.