An award to recognise the officers involved in a significant investigation into criminal activity within the abalone industry will be among those presented by the Commissioner of Police today and Wednesday.

The Commissioner’s Commendations, Commissioner’s Medals, National Medals, Clasps and National Police Service Medals will be presented at ceremonies in Burnie and Launceston.

“The awards are an opportunity to acknowledge the significant, and often unrecognised, role of police officers in protecting and serving the community,” said the Commissioner of Police, Darren Hine.

Officers will be awarded a Commissioner’s Commendation at the Burnie and Launceston ceremonies for their resourcefulness, devotion to duty and outstanding service during ‘Operation Nimble’, which disrupted criminal activity by a group of commercial abalone divers. 

The lengthy Operation began in 2002 and resulted in the conviction of 22 licenced commercial abalone divers, penalties including imprisonment, suspended prison sentences and fines, cancellation of some abalone diving licences and forfeitures totalling $1.36 million.

One of the officers receiving a Commissioner’s Commendation in Burnie today for ‘Operation Nimble’ is retired Constable Gregory Aitken, who will also be presented with a National Police Service Medal and a Commissioner’s Medal Clasp for 40 years of service. 

Today marks the inaugural awarding of the National Police Service Medal in Tasmania.  The Medal is awarded to officers who have served a minimum of 15 years of ethical and diligent service.  The award was developed in 2010 and is presented on behalf of the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Commissioner of Police.  

“The Medal is unique in that a high standard of ethical and diligent service is also required into the future,” said Mr Hine. 

The Commissioner’s Medal is presented as recognition for sustained ethical and diligent service.  It is earned by dedication to duty and professionalism throughout the recipient’s career.

The National Medal recognises the long and diligent service by members of recognised organisations which help the community during times of crisis.