Officers honoured for their service

By Bridget Brady
SIX Cranbourne police officers were among more than 30 Region Five members, who last week received national medals for their service to Victoria Police.
The officers were honoured with awards at the Victoria Police Service Awards at the City of Casey Council Office last Thursday.
Region 5 Assistant Commissioner Paul Evans presented Senior Sergeant Bruce Kitchen with the National Medal for 25 years service.
Sen Sgt Kitchen started work at the Oakleigh Police Station and also spent time at Dandenong and Springvale before beginning at Cranbourne in December 2006.
“It was a good privilege and was great to be recognised,” he said.
Sen Sgt Kitchen said he was not surprised at the number of officers who received awards for long service, and said one of the challenges facing Victoria Police was retaining the amount of experience that exists now in future years.
“There were a few familiar faces and we caught up and had a cuppa and a bit of a yak.”
Leading Senior Constable Simon Greenhill, who has worked at the Cranbourne Police Station for about 17 years, also received the award for 25 years service.
Ldg Sen Const Greenhill said it was nice to receive recognition for his work.
Mr Evans said there were a lot of police officers, who have served Victoria Police for an extended period of time and showed a genuine interest to improve the communities they worked in.
“It’s fantastic to be able to reward the good ethical service of our local police.”
The other police officers from Cranbourne who received awards were Leading Senior Constable Patricia Hasson- Vallas, Sergeant Phillip Dalgleish, Leading Senior Constable Robert Kupsch and Leading Senior Constable David Thomson.