Eight QPS officers acknowledged with the Australian Police Medal

Minister for Police Mark Ryan and Commissioner Ian Stewart today welcomed the announcement of the eight members of the Queensland Police Service who will receive the Australian Police Medal (APM) and be nationally honoured for their distinguished service.

The QPS APM recipients share a vast and diverse career history between them, having served throughout Queensland in a number of roles.

The recipients- Superintendent Dale Frieberg, Detective Superintendent Brian Swan, Detective Superintendent Ronald Van Saane, Superintendent Jon Wacker, Detective Inspector Melissa Anderson, Inspector Lee Jeffries, Senior Sergeant Renee Hanrahan and Senior Sergeant Richard Lacey - will be presented their APM at an upcoming ceremony.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said each of the award recipients had demonstrated the leadership abilities and professionalism that reflect the high standards of the Queensland Police Service.

“I would personally like to congratulate each recipient on their achievements and on behalf of the Queensland community, thank you for your ongoing commitment and service.”

“The APM is a very important award and is nationally recognised, each recipient should be very proud of their achievements,” the Minister said.

Commissioner Stewart paid tribute to the APM recipients.

“Each of the APM recipients comes from varied careers but each displays the desired and exemplary attributes of a QPS officer,” Commissioner Stewart said.

“The recipients reflect dedication and professionalism in all they undertake as an officer of the Queensland Police Service.”

Superintendent Dale Frieberg began her career in 1988 and was considered early on as an officer with great potential and continued to flourish during her early years in the QPS.

Through her 29-year career Superintendent Frieberg has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and adaptability, and has worked tirelessly in committing herself to implementing positive organisational change by mentoring junior officers and fostering collaborative relationships, both internally and externally.

Her various roles within the community including QPS Ministerial Liaison Officer and Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of Queensland has proved her professionalism and strategic ability to work and understand community needs.

Superintendent Frieberg’s commitment to her fellow officers has seen her elected as the current President of the Queensland Police Commissioned Officers’ Union of Employees.

Her innovative leadership has continued in her current position as the Operational Commander, Forensic Services Group, leading more than 500 officers in specialist forensic fields.

Detective Superintendent Brian Swan started his career with the Queensland Police Service as a cadet in 1984 and was later inducted as a First-Year Constable in 1985.

Through his 32-year career, Detective Superintendent Swan is considered an experienced and talented investigator. He has been involved in many high-profile investigations including several murder investigations and well-publicised shooting involving outlaw motorcycle gang members on the Gold Coast in 2012.

Detective Superintendent Swan is highly regarded for his leadership and excellence in organisational improvement and operational planning, particularly as they apply to the field of criminal investigations. He has been recognised for his work with the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group and the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council.

Detective Superintendent Swan is currently the Regional Crime Coordinator, Southern Region and overviews investigations for an area covering three times the size of Victoria and includes major population centres of Ipswich, Moreton and south west Queensland. He continues to be recognised for his professionalism, commitment to duty, investigative skill and integrity.

Superintendent Ronald Van Saane began his career in 1979 as a police cadet and later was inducted as a sworn officer in 1981.

Throughout his long career of 36 years, Superintendent Van Saane continues to show his enthusiasm and commitment to policing. He is actively involved in numerous community safety initiatives most notably his commitment to the reduction of domestic and family violence.

Superintendent Van Saane is recognised as a valued member of the senior management team in Central Region and has demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to regional and remote policing, leadership and operational policing practice which culminated in his appointment as District Officer in command of the Capricornia District.

Superintendent Van Saane is recognised for his leadership, passion and commitment to improving community safety in regional and remote communities across Queensland and to the residents and visitors to the Capricornia Police District.

Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker commenced as a cadet at the Queensland Police Academy and completed his senior education in 1976. Detective Superintendent Wacker graduated from the Academy in 1979.

Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker has demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment through more than 40 years with the QPS. He is recognised for his leadership, skill and commitment to improving organisational capability and efficiency particularly in the area of criminal investigations of serious and organised crime.

He is recognised for his professionalism, expertise and leadership, and commitment to assist the career development of others. His previous roles of Regional Crime Coordinator and Operations Coordinator have gained the respect and support of his colleagues.

Detective Superintendent Wacker has a strong commitment to increasing awareness of mental health within the QPS and is currently the Chair of the State Crime Command Mental Health initiative, ‘Don’t keep it under your hat’ Luncheon. This initiative promotes mental health and wellbeing of staff within the QPS, while raising money for charities. Detective Superintendent Wacker is acknowledged as a leader who drives positive cultural change and consistently builds organisational capability within portfolios he has led. 

Detective Inspector Melissa Anderson began her career in 1991 at the Queensland Police Academy, completing part of her studies through Griffith University, Brisbane. She was recognised by her supervisors as a very community minded police officer who has shown a keen willingness to tackle any task.

Over her 26-year career, Detective Inspector Anderson has served in many diverse areas across Queensland as a uniformed and plain clothes officer.  She has worked in remote locations, often as the only female officer in challenging areas, investigating criminal and child safety matters.

Her commitment to community engagement has been rewarded with many community awards through the Australia Day awards scheme and by Guiding Australia. Detective Inspector Anderson continues to perform a voluntary role as an Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of Queensland, a role which she excels at and is passionate about. She also continues a life-long commitment to Guiding, performing many leadership and training roles across Australia

She is recognised for her leadership and operational ability as a member of the QPS and for her commitment to the community of Queensland through strong and ongoing community engagement. She is currently serving as the Inspector for Financial and Cyber Crime, State Crime Command.

Inspector Lee Jeffries startedhis career as a cadet at theQueensland Police Academy in 1983 and waslater inducted as a First-Year Constable in 1984.

Inspector Jeffries is recognised for his involvement in several community based organisations including the current Chair of the Moreton Ethnic Advisory Group, promoting police and ethnic community initiatives. His professionalism, expertise and leadership has been demonstrated in a diverse number of areas including operational, corporate and specialist legal roles.

He has continued to demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, analytical ability and professional knowledge, which has earnt him the respect of stakeholders within his community and his peers. Inspector Jeffries is currently the Inspector, Support Services, Moreton District and is regarded by his colleagues and members of the community as an officer with the highest integrity and honour.

Senior Sergeant Renee Hanrahan graduated from the Queensland Police Academy in 2001, and has served the majority of her career in large regional communities. 

She is recognised for her dedication to general duties policing and her success and effectiveness in working in partnership with community groups to achieve positive outcomes. Senior Sergeant Hanrahan is a capable leader who has displayed commitment, skill and excellence in working with our community.

Her current position as the Officer in Charge of Mount Isa station has strongly demonstrated her professionalism, expertise and commitment to supporting the community. Senior Sergeant Hanrahan is known for her service to the community in Queensland through her dedication to rural policing and community engagement.

Senior Sergeant Hanrahan was an instrumental part of breaking down barriers between police and local Indigenous communities both in Queensland and as part of a multidisciplinary team of officers deployed to perform duty in the Northern Territory. She has made significant improvements to policing strategies and has sought to enhance service delivery, based among other policing priorities, on community needs and expectations.

Detective Senior Sergeant Richard Lacey graduated from the Queensland Police Academy in 1983. The majority of his 34-year career has been dedicated to investigating and solving serious crime and leading multidisciplinary teams of detectives across the South Brisbane District.

Detective Senior Sergeant Lacey is a highly respected officer who is a role model for junior and senior investigators and consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership skills in the field of criminal investigation. He has been recognised for his ability to utilise excellent investigative strategies and communication skills while interviewing offenders, witnesses and victims.

Detective Senior Sergeant Lacey has developed junior investigators throughout his career, through coaching, mentoring and supporting staff in this demanding and specialised field. He has demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to the community of Queensland and is currently serving at the Acacia Ridge Criminal Investigation Branch.

Commissioner Stewart congratulated each recipient and acknowledged their continued commitment towards the QPS and Queensland community.

"The Australian Police Medal is a fitting acknowledgment of each recipient’s outstanding contribution and commitment to serving the Queensland community," Commissioner Stewart said.

"I would like to congratulate and give my own personal thanks to each of the officers and also recognise them on behalf of the Service.”

Media contacts 

Minister Ryan’s Office:                                      Ph: 0411535180

Police Media:                                                     Ph: (07) 3015 2444