Six Police Employees In King’s Birthday Honours
A force stalwart who oversaw the rescue of almost 1000 people in Victoria’s devastating 2022 floods, a 44-year veteran who’s ensured the public’s safety at countless major events and a frontline leader who co-ordinated the emergency response to a school bus crash are being honoured this King’s Birthday.
Five Victoria Police officers are receiving the Australian Police Medal which recognises distinguished service by a member of the force.
One employee is being awarded the Public Service Medal which recognises excellence, leadership and innovation.
Superintendent Greg Barras, 54, is a nationally-recognised expert in emergency management having forged a reputation for working collaboratively with partner agencies.
As head of the Water Police and Search and Rescue Squad, he co-ordinated the statewide emergency response which saw 989 people rescued during the October 2022 floods.
The emergency impacted more than 80 per cent of Victoria.
An officer for 36 years, Superintendent Barras has also worked in general duties policing, liquor licensing, training and public order.
He led a team which developed a comprehensive plan to deal with emergencies at prisons following the 2015 Metropolitan Remand Centre riot and later drove an uplift in the force’s public order capability following the 2017 Moomba riots.
A highly respected mentor, Superintendent Barras currently oversees the division which focuses on the leadership and professional development of Victoria Police staff and executive command.
Outside of work he is a longtime member of the Australian Ski Patrol Association and volunteers with a community ski patrol group in Victoria’s Alpine region.
Senior Sergeant Helmut Pimperl, 63, has provided exceptional service throughout his diverse and extensive 44-year policing career.
He has led and managed Victoria Police’s State Event Planning Unit since 2011, overseeing the police response for some of Victoria’s biggest sporting and cultural events.
They include the AFL finals, Boxing Day Test, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Avalon Air Show as well as last year’s Land Forces expo and ASEAN-Australia summit.
He was also part of the police planning team for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Senior Sergeant Pimperl’s experience in major event planning has seen him lend his expertise to stakeholders interstate and overseas.
Highly regarded, well respected and professional, he constantly lives Victoria Police’s values and has performed a range of roles across the organisation.
This has spanned the frontline, the former Force Response Unit which evolved into the Public Order Response Team as well as Counter Terrorism Command.
Inspector Lisa Prentice-Evans has been Melton local area commander for the last three years, working closely with key stakeholders and the broader community.
The 49-year-old is especially passionate about building understanding and co-operation with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Inspector Prentice-Evans has worked in demanding operational and frontline positions for her entire 26-year career.
In May 2023 she immediately deployed and took command of the scene when a truck collided with a school bus carrying more than 40 children at Eynesbury, leaving seven students seriously injured.
Inspector Prentice-Evans continues to support the school and local community in their recovery after the crash.
Inspector Prentice-Evans is a subject matter expert in the response to protests involving issue-motivated groups having managed numerous demonstrations in the city.
She goes above and beyond to ensure the wellbeing of her staff, taking part in the annual Walk to Talk event which highlights the importance of police coming together to discuss mental health.
Superintendent Sharon McCrory, based at Horsham Police Station, is known for supporting her staff with spirit and genuine care.
She currently oversees a division spanning 40,000 square kilometres with some 300 police under her command.
Before moving to the country in January 2023 Superintendent McCrory, 59, was officer in charge of Doncaster police station which became a destination workplace due to her focus on performance and integrity.
She has also served as the local area commander for Stonnington, building strong relationships with major stakeholders including local government and business operators.
Superintendent McCrory this year marked 40 years with Victoria Police and has successfully managed multiple serious emergencies including recent summer bushfires and those that devastated the tiny township of Pomonal in February 2024.
Her career has also included working with the former National Crime Authority and as a tactical analyst supporting the Special Operations Group where she aided the safe and effective deployment of members in numerous high-risk operations.
Sergeant Joanna Parissis has improved the lives of hundreds of young people, helping them reach their best potential through opportunity, support and trust.
As a youth resource officer in Melbourne’s northern suburbs for 17 years, Sergeant Parissis worked especially closely with diverse communities to build their confidence in police.
Sergeant Parissis was later able to combine her frontline operational and specialist policing experience in a statewide role with Victoria Police’s Priority and Safer Communities Division.
This saw her working with a range of community partners across the education, employment and business sectors to give young people a better opportunity to develop and grow into confident and resilient adults.
The collaborative approach included developing a health and wellbeing program with the Pavilion School which aims to re-engage young people disconnected from the classroom.
Sergeant Parissis has worked at Victoria Police for 31 years and is currently based at the Digital Services and Security Department.
Outside of the force the 54-year-old has served as a board member of Blue Light Victoria, making a significant contribution to developing a series of programs aimed at supporting the development and future success of young Victorians.
Natale Cutri is receiving the Public Service Medal for outstanding leadership and advocacy for people with disability.
Mr Cutri is the co-chair and founding member of the Victoria Police Enablers Network, a group of employees with lived experience of disability and caregiving which champions advocacy, shared information and support for employees with disability.
The 56-year-old has also shared his own experiences as a person with disability to influence senior leaders within the force, actively proposing solutions to improve accessibility for all.
His advocacy has resulted in Victoria Police prioritising accessibility principles in the design of its processes, systems, infrastructure and premises including the new Victoria Police Centre in Melbourne’s CBD.
A true role model with a can-do attitude, Mr Cutri’s support for other employees with disability is paving the way for a new generation of leaders and disability advocates within Victoria Police and the public service more broadly.
He is co-president of the Victorian Public Sector Enablers Network.
Mr Cutri works in Victoria Police’s Capability Department which oversees policy and legislative matters.
Quotes attributable to Acting Chief Commissioner Bob Hill:
“Be it supporting the community in times of disaster or improving the lives of others through their work on the frontline and elsewhere, each of these employees has made Victoria a better and safer place.
“The fact they have gone about their work without seeking recognition or acclaim makes them all the more deserving of this prestigious honour.
“I salute their passion, professionalism and ongoing resolve to making a difference.”
https://www.police.vic.gov.au/six-police-employees-kings-birthday-honours