House of Assembly Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3) 51 3 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time South Australia Police Officer of the Year SOUTH AUSTRALIA POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR Ms FOX House of Assembly Bright SOUTH AUSTRALIA POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR Ms FOX (Bright) (14:26): Will the Minister for Police advise the house about today's presentation of the South Australia Police Officer of the Year? The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT House of Assembly Lee Minister for Police Minister for Emergency Services Minister for Recreation SOUTH AUSTRALIA POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:27): It gives me great pleasure to announce that Senior Constable Andrew Murphy, of the Elizabeth Local Service Area, was today named the South Australia Police Officer of the Year in a public ceremony held in Rundle Mall. Senior Constable Murphy is a crime scene examiner, and his nomination is underpinned by advice provided by Mr Euan Ferguson, Chief Officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service. In making the nomination, Mr Ferguson advised of the extraordinary duties undertaken by Senior Constable Murphy in his role as an active member of the Dalkeith Fire Service Brigade. The association with CFS spans some 30 years. The roles undertaken by Senior Constable Murphy and his close involvement with the community also include his role with the Hillbank Neighbourhood Watch, as the School Watch liaison officer with the Munno Para Primary School, his continued involvement with Blue Light and as a regular lecturer at school presentations. Today's ceremony was the 31^st presentation of this annual award. Since its inception in 1978, the annual South Australia Police Officer of the Year Award has sought to highlight the service provided to our community by South Australia Police and recognises outstanding acts of courtesy, courage, kindness, understanding, compassion and devotion to duty by any member of the South Australian police department. The award also recognises the police officer's voluntary work outside their policing duties. The high quality and number of nominations received by the club each year demonstrates the high regard the community hold for members of South Australia Police and the importance South Australians place on the Police Officer of the Year Award. I congratulate Senior Constable Murphy on his efforts.