Four Western District police officers are today receiving Commissioner’s Commendations for their courage and actions at an incident at Circular Head earlier this year at a special ceremony in Burnie this afternoon.

Sergeant Steve Keiselis, Senior Constable Claire Lucas, Constable Sarah Bosch and Senior Constable Shane Askew will be presented with their Commissioner’s Commendations in relation to the arrest of a wanted man who was actively avoiding apprehension.

The male offender, armed with a rifle, deliberately shot at the officers. After then attempting to use his vehicle as a weapon, the man was chased down and arrested, after a violent struggle, while still in possession of the loaded rifle.

Sergeant Katrina Chivers and Sergeant Mark Forteath will also be presented with Humanitarian Overseas Service Medals.

Sgt Chivers will be recognised for her work in the 2014 Malaysian Airlines MH17 crash investigation in a Disaster Victim Identification capacity. Sgt Chivers  will also be awarded the AFP Operations Medal.

Sgt Forteath will be recognised for his work in Disaster Victim Identification in relation to the 2011 New Zealand Christchurch earthquakes.

A total of 43 recipients will be presented with 60 awards at the Burnie medal presentation today.

More than 180 police officers and Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management employees are being recognised for their ethical and diligent service at special ceremonies across the State.

Police Commissioner Darren Hine paid tribute to the recipients, saying that the medals and awards were issued to members who have demonstrated a consistently high standard of work performance, along with demonstration of unequivocally high standards of personal and professional conduct.

“The awards relate to a term of 10 years of service, and further clasps and awards are issued for additional 10 years of service thereafter,” Mr Hine said.

“These awards are a chance for me to say thank you for the work that our police officers and State service employees do.  Without them, the Department would not be what it is today.”

Other awards to be presented include the National Medal, which was first instituted in 1975 and recognises long and diligent service by members of the recognised organisations that help the community during times of crisis. It’s Australia’s most awarded civilian medal.

The first clasp to the National Medal is given for completion of 25 years’ service. Further clasps are awarded for each additional 10 years’ service.

The National Police Service Medal, which acknowledges the special status that police officers have because of their role protecting the community, will be awarded to police officers who have performed 15 years of diligent and ethical policing service.