A COHUNA man regarded as a community role model has been recognised with the granting of the Australian Police Medal on Australia Day.
Senior Constable Andrew Neil, who has served for most of his 11-year Victoria Police career at either his childhood home town of Kerang or his adopted home town of neighbouring Cohuna, said yesterday that he was humbled and honoured to receive the award.
He was previously recognised for his work leading a ground-breaking drug awareness campaign when he was named as the Gannawarra Citizen of the Year in 2015.
“I suppose you just do your job,” he said.
“I don’t look for recognition.”
Senior Constable Neil joined Victoria Police in 2006 and upon completion of training at the police academy he commenced work at Swan Hill, performing general policing duties.
In 2008 he transferred to Kerang, where he performed general duties for four years, before transferring to Cohuna in 2012, where he continues to work today.
Over this period he has performed the role of Acting Sergeant at both stations on a number of occasions.
As a rural police officer he routinely undertakes a wide range of duties including leading criminal investigations, conducting search warrants, attending traffic incidents, responding to livestock and farm machinery theft, responding to incidents involving the misuse of drugs and alcohol, firearms incidents, emergency management situations, including bushfires, and family violence.
The impact of drug misuse, including the increasing use of methamphetamine within the community, promoting the importance of safe driving behaviours particularly in young people, and working with rural farmers to prevent theft of livestock and machinery, are just a few of the areas in which he has demonstrated great leadership.
The award citation stated that Senior Constable Neil had built his career policing rural Victoria, establishing effective partnerships with a range of stakeholders to respond to challenges in an effort to improve the lives of the community in which he resides.
He is seen as a role model who has gained the trust and respect of those he works with and the local community that he proudly serves.
Senior Constable Neil said that he had always tried to do his best in his job and said that policing in your own local community can be challenging, yet he has been able to benefit from engagement with groups as diverse as kindergartens and the University of the Third Age.
“I don’t look for recognition. Someone saying ‘thank you’ for helping is enough,” he said.
“One of my most satisfying jobs has been helping a family who’s son was lost to drugs. It’s been a long journey with its ups and downs. When he gave me a book [as thanks]. That meant a lot; it was a special moment.”
