For Chief Inspector John Klepczarek, working to put Matthew de Gruchy behind bars or helping to solve the Frank Arkell murder in the 1990s in the Illawarra have been the highlights of his more than 30-year career.
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But along with those notable cases, Chief Inspector Klepczarek, who is the officer in charge of Southern Highlands Police Station. said he was most proud of helping to implement the 'Safer by Design' program in 2002, which resulted in Crime Prevention Legislative guidelines to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.
The long-serving officer has now been awarded a Queens Birthday Honours' Australian Police Medal.
"The award doesn't recognise a single-event but rather a career," he said. "To be recognised for doing good during your career is very humbling.
"The Safer by Design program gets police involved in planning and design of new developments, so crime prevention is factored in to make neighbourhoods safer places.
"Also, those murders were quite significant in the history of the Illawarra and then on top that I was able to help the community through the Helensburgh fires, the Wollongong floods, Shoalhaven fires and Thredbo landslide.
"They were major events that occurred, and to be a part of it was memorable.
"I came from humble beginnings, I went to Oak Flats High School, and being involved in those events was something I never thought I would be a part of.
"This job has taken me to places I never thought I would go to."
Chief Inspector Klepczarek said he would always remember seeing the likes of Vladimir Putin and George Bush during an APEC summit, and was involved with the Sydney Olympics and World Youth Day.
"Every day is different. In policing there are so many opportunities," he said. "During the Safer by Design roll out, I was lucky enough to be invited to speak at an international crime prevention forum in Canada and I trained police across Australia and New Zealand.
"I have been very blessed in my career. You can make whatever you want out the NSW Police Force."
The Chief Inspector joined the force in 1988 at the Redfern Patrol and remained there until 1993 when he was transferred to the Lake Illawarra Region undertaking general duty roles until 2000.
He then performed the role of crime prevention officer at the Lake Illawarra Local Area until 2006 during which time he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
In 1998 he was appointed as the southern region media liaison officer.
In 2006 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant at the Lake Illawarra Command, and in 2012 he was promoted to his current rank of Inspector of Police at the Surry Hills Command.
He has since transferred to the Hume Police District.
Chief Inspector Klepczarek has been involved with the Illawarra Police Charity Ball for nearly 20 years, which has raised more than $300,000 for local charities.
"I am in the twilight of my career, but looking back, in amongst those low points and mundane days, I think wow, I have seen some pretty incredible things that you only dream of," he said.
"This job has provided me with opportunities I never would have had in my wildest dreams."
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