Bundaberg, Monto police officers awarded for ongoing service
Several officers were awarded for their ongoing service in the Wide Bay Burnett community at a medal ceremony this week. See the photos.
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Wide Bay police officers have been recognised for their service during an award ceremony in Bundaberg.
Monto Sergeant Christopher Burke was one of several Wide Bay Burnett police officers awarded for their service to the community, following a co-ordinated search and rescue of a missing person last year.
The ceremony, which took place at the Bundaberg Police Station today, April 24, was attended by officers and family members in celebration of decades of service.
Chief Inspector Grant Marcus officiated the event, and acknowledged the ongoing work of the police officers who had put themselves on the line for so many years.
“Policing has always been, and will always be a very demanding profession and today’s ceremony is a welcome opportunity to recognise the loyalty and diligence of our officers,” he said.
Acting Superintendent Paul Algie awarded the medals to the officers.
“While sometimes policing can be a very difficult task, it is the acknowledgment of the great work that our people do on an everyday basis that is so important,” he said.
More than a dozen medals were distributed, with standout awards presented to Senior Constable Steven Moore, Senior Constable Annette Pfingst, Senior Constable Matthew Tonkin, Acting Sergeant Adrian Studholme, Sergeant Christopher Burke, Sergeant Michael Ward, Chief Inspector Grantley Marcus for their actions during intense periods of emergency response specifically during the Covid-19 pandemic.
See the full list of award winners and photos:
Queensland Police Service Medal
“The Queensland Police Service Medal is awarded in recognition of diligent and ethical service by Queensland Police Service employees, both Police Officers and staff members after 10 years of qualifying service,” Inspector Marcus said.
15-year service clasp
Senior Constable Annette Pfingst
Acting Sergeant Adrian Studholme
20-year service clasp
Senior Constable Steven Moore
25-year service clasp
Technical Officer Peter Armstrong
Sergeant Michael Ward
35-year service clasp
Sergeant Michael Browne
Chief Inspection Grantley Marcus
National Police Service Medal
“The National Police Service Medal is awarded in recognition of ethical and diligent service of Police Officers serving in communities across Australia after 15 years of qualifying service,” Inspector Marcus said.
Senior Constable Annette Pfingst
Senior Constable Matthew Tonkin
Acting Sergeant Adrian Studholme
National Medal
“The National Medal is awarded to members of emergency services and defence forces in recognition of 15 years of diligent service,” Inspector Marcus said.
“A Clasp to the National Medal is awarded after the completion of each additional 10 years of diligent service.”
Senior Constable Annette Pfingst
Senior Constable Matthew Tonkin
Acting Sergeant Adrian Studholme
1st Clasp to the National Medal
Sergeant Michael Ward
National Emergency Medal
“The National Emergency Medal is awarded to individuals who rendered sustained service during specified dates in specified places in response to nationally significant emergencies within Australia, or to other persons who rendered significant service in response to such emergencies,” Inspector Marcus.
Senior Constable Matthew Tonkin was awarded the medal for his service during Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
Sergeant Michael Ward was awarded the medal for his service during the 2019-2020 bushfires across the region.
Queensland Police Emergency Response Medal
“The Queensland Police Emergency Response Medal is awarded to an individual who has provided an emergency response to a significant event in Queensland,” Inspector Marcus said.
Senior Constable Steven Moore
Senior Constable Annette Pfingst
Senior Constable Matthew Tonkin
Acting Sergeant Adrian Studholme
Sergeant Christopher Burke
Sergeant Michael Ward
Chief Inspector Grantley Marcus
District Officer’s Certificate
Sergeant Christopher Burke
“In February 2023, Sergeant Burke co-ordinated a comprehensive search and rescue operation for a missing person in the Monto area,” Inspector Marcus said.
“He performed his role by demonstrating a commitment to the highest professional standards when liaising with the community, volunteers and the family of the missing person.”
“His knowledge, experience and skills allowed him to task assets and apply sound processing of data to identify appropriate search and rescue areas and the overall co-ordination of the search and rescue response.
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