January 26, 2022
Former Cooyar police officer Senior Sergeant Craig Shepherd has been awarded an Australian Police Medal in the 2022 Australia Day Honours.
Snr Sgt Shepherd has been a member of the QPS for 31 years and is currently the Officer-in-Charge at Bowen police station.
As well as Cooyar, Snr Sgt Shepherd also served at Mitchell and Mt Isa, as well as with the Public Safety Response Team and the Railway Squad.
In 2011, he was promoted to the Disaster Management Support Officer/Tactician role in Mt Isa.
He was the Operations Co-ordinator after an offender detonated an Improvised Explosive Device in 2015 which killed three people.
Snr Sgt Shepherd co-ordinated the multi-agency response which included planning, logistics, welfare and media management under difficult conditions.
In 2016, he was transferred to the position of OIC at Bowen.
In this role he has demonstrated excellent leadership during disaster events, operational challenges and critical incidents, including Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017, which saw the mandatory evacuation of 7000 residents from storm surge zones.
Police Minister Mark Ryan and Commissioner Katarina Carroll congratulated Snr Sgt Shepherd and the other police officers who will receive the Australian Police Medal (APM).
Introduced in 1986, the APM is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian police agency.
Recipients are announced twice a year, on Australia Day and on the Queen’s birthday, based on nominations put forward by the Commissioner of each jurisdiction.
Commissioner Carroll said each of the APM recipients demonstrated the exemplary attributes of a QPS office.
“The Australian Police Medal is a fitting acknowledgment of each recipient’s outstanding contribution and dedication to serving Queensland,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“The recipients personify our QPS values and are committed to their duties and keeping the Queensland community safe.
“I would like to congratulate and give my personal thanks to each of them.”
The recipients will be presented with their APM at an upcoming ceremony.
[UPDATED. In an earlier version, Snr Sgt Craig Shepherd’s name was incorrect]
