The Australian Police Medal was established in 1986 and is announced twice a year, on Australia Day and the Queen's birthday, with Supt Driver among those recognised on the long weekend for their outstanding service to the community.

Supt Driver has provided dedicated service for almost 40 years after joining the police force in 1985, originally being posted to Darlinghurst before transferring to Kings Cross, then Northern Rivers to perform general duties at Nimbin and Lismore.

He later moved to work in the Highway Patrol and as a Police Rescue operation before being promoted to the rank of sergeant, then inspector at Richmond Local Area Command in 2002.

He was again promoted to Superintendent as Commander of the Lachlan Area Command and then Canobolas, where he remained in charge between 2010 and 2015, overseeing more than 100 officers before moving back to Sydney.

He became commander of the Metropolitan Highway Patrol before taking up the position as General Manager/Superintendent, Workforce Safety in 2018.

Since then, Supt Driver has been proactively engaged with government, safety regulators and partner agencies in identifying and minimising risk of injury and harm to both police and employees.

He actively works to develop and implement positive strategies to manage and assist injured workers and throughout 2020 provided significant contributions to the COVID-19 response.

He was recognised alongside Superintendents Julie Boon, Rashelle Conroy and Kylie Endemi, Detective Superintendents Paul Devaney and Craig Middleton, Detective Chief Inspectors Neil Hallinan and Paul Simpkins, Chief Inspectors Sean McDermott and Gregory Flood, and Detective Inspector Glen Browne.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller congratulated the recipients, thanking them for their significant contribution to policing and the community.

"Each officer has served the community with dedication and selflessness over many years. They perform their duties without expectation of awards or recognition but are richly deserving of this honour," Commissioner Fuller said.

"I congratulate these officers on their distinguished policing careers and thank them for their ongoing contribution to their communities."

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