Top Mascot cop awarded Australian Police Medal

Paul Fownes has two passions in life — South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club and his 33-year career in the NSW Police Force and now he has been rewarded for his dedication in both fields.

Mascot police Chief Inspector Paul Fownes at South Maroubra Beach. Mr Fownes is also president of South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club. Picture: Monique Harmer.

Paul Fownes has two passions in life — South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club and his 33-year career in the NSW Police Force.

Last year the surf club president was awarded an OAM for his services to lifesaving and now, as head of Central Metropolitan Highway Patrol, he has been awarded the highest accolade a police officer can receive — the Australian Police Medal.

“These sorts of awards are unexpected but it is still a thrill to get a national award of that type,” Chief Inspector Fownes said.

Central Metropolitan Highway Patrol Chief Inspector Paul Fownes with Botany Bay Highway Patrol officers Senior Constables Douglas Leef and Piyalak Amornyard on the job at Foreshore Drive, Botany.

Chief Inspector Fownes, based at Mascot, joined the police in 1986. His first posting was in general duties at Maroubra Police Station.

He joined Maroubra Highway Patrol in 1996 and moved up the ranks to his current role as teh commander of 140 traffic and highway patrol staff in the Central Metropolitan region, stretching from Heathcote to the eastern suburbs, the City of Sydney and Leichhardt.

“I have had a strong connection with the eastern suburbs community, established the traffic offenders program out of Daceyville PCYC in an effort to change driver behaviour and currently oversee the highway patrol involvement in road safety operations and major Sydney events,” Mr Fownes said.

Mascot police Chief Inspector Paul Fownes at South Maroubra. Picture: Monique Harmer.

He said the traffic offenders program had helped a number of high-profile people who had made poor choices to improve their behaviour.

Mr Fownes was also proud of his involvement in the highway patrol’s transporting of patients and medical staff or organ transplants through the Red Cross and St Vincent’s Hospital, where Victor Chang carried out the first heart transplant in 1984.

“I started out with the intention of making the area a better and safer place and going on what I have been able to influence, yes, I think I have achieved that,” he said.

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Mr Fownes welcomed the introduction of random drug testing for drivers.

“I see this as the starting point much like the early ’80s when alcohol testing was introduced saving many lives on our roads and while also impacting on the drinking culture more generally.

“Random drug testing not only will save lives on our roads but will help drive down illicit drug use in the community.”