Among them were Mittagong highway patrol officers, undercover detectives and general duties police.

Representatives of other services, including Berrima District Rescue Volunteer Squad and civilians were also commended for their contribution to crime solving and emergency assistance.

Assistant Commissioner Clive Small and Local Area Commander, Superintendent Mark Rattenbury presented the awards.

Recognised for 25 years service (1st Clasp to National Medal) were Detective Senior Sergeant Bill Dowton and highway patrolman, Senior Constable Bruce Rickard.

Bowral Senior Constables Col Spearman, Kel Beasley and John Ramon were presented with a National Medal for 15 years service.

There were six officers recognised in the Local Area Commander’s citations list, including highway patrolmen, Senior Constables Phil Pollard and Warren Bowers.

The men were commended for their actions during the night shift on April 9 last year when they arrested three of four occupants of a car involved in a high speed chase through Mittagong.

Subsequent inquiries identified the men as being responsible for a spate of break and enters within the command. Also given a citation was Constable Kim Morrison whose actions in January last year were instrumental in the arrests of three men over a series of thefts in Bowral.

Bowral chief of detectives, Senior Sergeant Dowton commented; “Constable Morrison’s initiative and diligent inquiry, primarily in her own time, led to the obtaining of information which led to the arrest of the nominated offenders, all of whom have lengthy criminal records.”

All up, about 30 police in the Camden Local Area Command were recognised.