Office of the Public Advocate
Caption (from left): Superintendent Andrew Markakis, Public Advocate Dan Stubbs 2025 Ben Bodna Awward recipient Sergeant Everett and her mother, Karen Everett
The Public Advocate Police Awards recognise outstanding service to people with disability by police members and stations throughout Victoria. They recognise police members who have gone above and beyond to ensure people with disability understand the police process and are treated with respect and dignity
The 2025 awards were presented by the Public Advocate, Dan Stubbs, on Tuesday 24 February 2026 in Melbourne.
Dan spoke about crucial role police play in protecting those members of the community who, due to disability or cognitive impairment, are more vulnerable to exploitation, manipulation, coercion and abuse.
"We know that people with disability, particularly First Nations people with disability, are overrepresented at all stages of the criminal justice system," Dan said.
" A lack of appropriate support services and mental health crisis care means the justice system is often used to manage individuals with disabilities. There is even a phrase for it: the criminalisation of disability.,"
Behaviours related to a person’s impairment, trauma, or health conditions may be interpreted by authorities as defiance, leading to disproportionate police interaction, Dan explained.
"Unless the person is properly supported during these interactions, the inherent imbalance of power and a lack of understanding of processes can compound disadvantage and lead to inequitable outcomes."
Independent Third Persons (ITPs), volunteers who are trained and supported by the Office of the Public Advocate, sit in on police procedures to help people with cognitive impairment understand what’s happening and to facilitate communication between the person and police. The Police Manual directs police to call for an ITP is a person, whether they be an allleged perpetrator, witness or victim, is thought to have a cognitive impairment. No diagnosis is required.
During 2024–25, 96 ITPs supported a record 5,388 police procedures, marking a 10 percent increase from the previous year and the highest number in the program’s history.
As part of the Public Advocate Police Awards, ITP volunteers nominate for recognition police stations that best demonstrate the values of the ITP Program. The Independent Third Person Program Awards recognise one metropolitan and one rural staton each year.
The Ben Bodna Award, the Outstanding Police Service to People with Disability Awards, and the certificates of commendation are awarded are collaboratively nominated by either or both OPA and Victoria Police.
2025 Award recipients
Ben Bodna Award: Sergeant Everett
The 2024 Ben Bodna Award for Exceptional Leadership in Support of People with Disabilities went to Sergeant Everett
As a Disability Liaison Officer, Sergeant Everett fights every day to make policing safer, more accessible and more respectful for people with disability. She advocates fiercely for their rights, works closely with families and support networks, and builds trusted relationships that make a real difference in people’s lives.
Sergeant Everett is also a driving force in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, mentors Special Olympics athletes, supports leadership camps, and helps create events where police and athletes come together in the most positive way. She was the powerhouse behind the Polar Plunge fundraiser — raising over $100,000 dollars last year and making the whole event accessible for all abilities.
Outstanding Police Service to People with Disability
Detective Senior Constable Sarah Frost
Detective Senior Constable Sarah Frost demonstrated exceptional professionalism, empathy, and persistence in supporting a person with complex support needs through a highly challenging and confronting investigation. From the outset, she placed the victim’s safety, wellbeing, and dignity at the centre of all investigative decisions, to ensure that justice processes remained accessible, and trauma informed.
Throughout the investigation, Sarah responded swiftly to multiple concerns for the victim’s safety. She worked tirelessly to stabilise the situation, engaging with a range of internal police departments, the Office of the Public Advocate, and VCAT to safeguard the victim’s rights and ensure legal protections, including the use of protective orders.
Sarah’s leadership and commitment to open communication helped maintain engagement of the victim and their family with the justice process, ensuring their experience was the focus and respected at every stage. Beyond the immediate case, Sarah sought appropriate support for the victim’s family, to assist them to navigate complex systems and access appropriate services.
Sergeant Dane Piper
Sergeant Dane Piper demonstrated a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for people with disability when he undertook self-initiated promotion of the updated voluntary disclosure process. This was after attending a call out, whereby the outcomes could have been improved if voluntary disclosure had previously been in place.
Dane took the time to create a highly relevant narrative based on information shared by the disability portfolio and provided this to colleagues, clearly articulating the initiative and potential impact of Voluntary Disclosure while also simultaneously engaging with the community.
After Dane ‘s initial promotion of the initiative within his work unit, he then went out of his way to support the promotion and roll out more broadly across Victoria Police and the disability community. Dane attended a Disability Liaison Officer Community of Practice as a guest speaker, to highlight how VD had been beneficial in an operational environment. In addition to this, Dane also attended a Disability Portfolio Reference Group to share his learnings with the group. Dane has also attended a number of community events, and meetings, with disability specific organisations to promote voluntary disclosure, and to answer any questions the community may have about the process.
Independent Third Person Program Awards
ITP Award Metropolitan Station - Cranbourne
In their nomination, the ITPs said:
Officers at Cranbourne treat clients with respect, dignity, and patience — ensuring people are kept informed, their needs are checked regularly, and someone remains with them to provide reassurance and support.
The leadership at Cranbourne sets a strong standard by ensuring ITPs are properly briefed, introduced to the officers involved, and able to carry out their role safely and without compromise
Officers respect the privacy of initial ITP interviews with clients and for taking ITP assessments seriously — including when an ITP identifies that a client is not suitable for interview and recommends involvement from forensic medical services or other professional supports.
When delays occur, such as waiting for a Bail Justice or further decisions, staff at Cranbourne make sure both the client and the ITP are safe, informed, and treated with fairness throughout the process.
Officers also ollow up with appropriate referrals for vulnerable clients — demonstrating genuine care and ensuring people get the support they need beyond the police station.
Overall, Cranbourne Police Station has created an environment where clients are safe, respected, and supported — and where collaboration with ITPs is valued. This commitment not only strengthens access to justice but also makes the role of the ITP deeply rewarding.
ITP Award Rural Station – Morwell
Morwell police have fully embraced the ITP Program and last year was the third largest user of ITPs in the state.
In their nomination, the ITPs said:
Morwell officers have consistently demonstrated what good practice looks like — working respectfully and collaboratively alongside ITP volunteers and the individuals they support.
ITP volunteers have highlighted several occasions where officers at this station took extra time, used calm communication, and applied thoughtful de‑escalation strategies to reduce stress during police interactions.
Officers have also been praised for explaining processes clearly and compassionately, helping remove fear or confusion during interviews or assessments.
These practices make a real difference. They promote fairness, build trust, and help ensure that people with disability can meaningfully engage with the justice system.
The culture of this police station shows what modern; inclusive policing can look like — and we thank you for continuing to uphold these values in every interaction.
2025 Certificates of Commendation
Seymour Police Station
In their nomination, an ITP volunteer spoke about how Seymour police members reassured an alleged offender who was embarrassed about needing an ITP and provided information about the role of an ITP in the interview. The person subsequently agreed to talk with the ITP and agreed to her being present and supporting them during the police interview.
Sergeant Lachlan Gray
For his ccommitment to help bridge the gap between the Deaf community and Victoria Police, including events like ‘Coffee with a Cop- AUSLAN’', featuring on the Victoria Police socials celebrating International Day of Sign Languages.and organising a Dead Football Victoria vs Victoria Police Football Club Social Community Match.
