Paul O’Connell handed Moreland’s top community policing award

More than 30 years after joining the force, detective Sergeant Paul O’Connell is known around the Fawkner police station for his interest in the welfare of others. It was a trait he picked up after being helped along in his early days in the force.

Paul O'Connell (centre) with Monty Montgomery and Superintendent Darren Franks. Picture: Hamish Blair

The support was so strong for detective Sergeant Paul O’Connell when he first joined the police force in 1988 that he decided he would always give back in the office.

Sgt O’Connell was the ninth winner of the Rotary Club of Pascoe Vale’s community policing award, this year renamed in honour of his former colleague Stephen Bull.

A member of Moreland’s criminal investigation unit, tasked with limiting criminal reoffending, Sgt O’Connell joined the police out of the military and has had stints in Brunswick, Coburg and the city.

“I like to think that every workplace I’ve been in has benefited from good police welfare and morale,” he said.

“I had teething problems when I settled into policing and I had people that gathered around me, so getting in early and nurturing others is important.”

Rotary club member Monty Montgomery helped award the honour and said Sgt O’Connell’s commitment to morale and working with the community made him an outstanding winner.

Former colleagues Sgt Paul O'Connell (left) and Stephen Bull in 2016. Picture: Tony Gough

Fawkner Superintendent Darren Franks said the award winner, who is affectionately known as “Barney” throughout the force, was a level head among the Moreland detectives.

“Paul brings that experienced and calm approach I like to see in supervisors,” he said.

“In a world that can often be chaotic, it’s just priceless.”

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After more than three decades in the force, Sgt O’Connell said he eyed the finish line but remained focused.

“(Moreland is) one of the most diverse areas that I’ve worked in,” he said. “The fact that we have a really low reoffending rate, that’s how I equate our success.”

@Josh__Barnes