Public Advocate's Police Awards


The Public Advocate's Police Awards recognise outstanding police service to people with disability. 

Recipients are nominated by colleagues, Independent Third Persons (ITPs) - volunteers who support people with disability in police interviews, and members of the public. 

The Ben Bodna Award, named after Victoria's first Public Advocate, recognises exceptional leadership in support of Victorians with a disability.

The Independent Third Person Program Awards recognise members of Victoria Police who demonstrate the ideals of the ITP program, and have gone above and beyond in ensuring people with disability are not disadvantaged during police interviews.

YearBen Bodna AwardCommunity nominatedPolice nominatedITP - MetroITP - Rural 
2023 Detective Senior Constables Travis Kinghorn, Rhiannon Woolfe, and Samantha Perez of Fawkner SOCIT Sergeant Mark Osborne Sergeant Kate Lockyer Mernda Benella SOCIT
2022 Sergeant Melanie Castles-McKeown Victoria Police Soccer Club Sergeant Barry Randall Frankston Police Station Bairnsdale Police Station
2021

Inspector Chris Allen, North West Metro Region

No Community nominated award due to COVID-19 pandemic Sergeant Kelly Christie Melton Police Station Horsham Police Station
2020 Acting Inspector Christine Lalor  No Community nominated award due to COVID-19 pandemic Lydia Popec Melbourne West Police Station Ballarat Police Station
2019 Victoria Police’s Disability Portfolio’s Priority Communities Team Detective Senior Constable Eric Forcey Senior Constable Tamara Olley Sunshine Police Station Geelong Police Station
2018 Senior Constable Anthony Downing  Detective Senior Constable Carol Griffith Judy Ruka  Knox Police Station Shepparton Police Station
2017 Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh Senior Constable David Grealish and Melbourne Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team Sergeant John Hollis  Box Hill Police Station Bendigo Police Station
2016 Melbourne North Police Station Sergeant Tristan Snow  Senior Sergeant Nicole Williams  Epping Police Station Ararat Police Station

 

Further information