Sergeant Phillip Gornall was declared Police Office of the Year 2023 at the annual awards organised together by the eight Rotary Clubs of Macarthur.

“People only win individual awards when their team is performing, their team is working hard and their team kick goals every week,” he said, acknowledging the other nominees and his team at Camden LAC. 

The Crime Co-ordinator at Camden Police Area Command, Sergeant Gornall supervises the Crime Prevention Unit where his leadership of this team was described as exceptional.

He has also led the command response to Domestic Violence and he and his team have been responsible for a number of community initiatives, working with council and government and non- government stakeholders to raise awareness.

“Phil also personally and tirelessly plans and leads the largest events in the command every year including the commands response to the Camden Show, Police Open Day (which is one of the largest in Metropolitan Sydney) and monthly pro-active disruption operations to target alcohol related and other crime,” the citation mentioned.

“Phil leads a diverse team of specialists in front line policing. He has an excellent ability to get the best out of each member of his team.”

Sergeant Gornall inherits the title from last year’s winner, Constable Jayne McConnachie, who was lauded for her efforts in supporting at-risk youth.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the remarkable Rotary members whose dedication to the community is truly an inspiration,” Constable McConnachie said.

“Tonight’s gathering stands as another testament to their exceptional work.”

Uncle Charlie’s warm welcome to country, Margie Dowling’s lovely rendition of the National Anthem and Oscar Kami’s vibrant music all added to a fantastic evening at Wests that acknowledged the Force’s best across several categories for their professional excellence and dedication and saw Camden Police Area Command taking home most of the trophies.

On behalf of the organising committee, Kim Meredith handed over a cheque for $3000 to NSW Police Legacy.

Congratulations to the following were the winners of the Police Officer of the Year Awards 2023:

Probationary Constable: Constable Elijah Armstrong (Campbelltown PAC)

Unsworn Officers: GA Support Officer Michelle Berenger (Camden PAC) & GA Support Officer Toni-Lee Regan (Campbelltown PAC)

General Duties: Constable Grace Plotecki (Camden PAC)

Crime Prevention: Winner – Sergeant Phillip Gornall (Camden PAC) & Highly Commended – Senior Constable Elise Hulley-Thomas (Campbelltown PAC)

Detectives: Detective Senior Constable Phillip Hill (Camden PAC)

Highway Patrol: Senior Constable Daniel Churchill (HWP)

Police Officer of the Year: Sergeant Phillip Gornall (Camden PAC)

 

Click on the photograph below to view some photographs from the evening. Video follows soon.