MOUNT Isa Police Inspector Trevor Kidd is to receive the prestigious Australian Police Medal (APM).
He is among six Queensland Police Service officers announced to receive the national honour. The officers are to be presented with their awards at an upcoming ceremony.
Inspector Kidd receives his award for “outstanding dedication, professional and integrity during a policing career of more than 40 years with the QPS.”
Inspector Kidd knew he was nominated but said he was surprised about gaining it.
“It is certainly an honour and a privilege to be acknowledged for the work I do,” he said, speaking from Cardwell. It also happens to be his 58th birthday.
He has served in the Queensland Police Service for more than 40 years. A quarter of that time has been served in the Mount Isa police district which includes communities such as the Isa, Birdsville, Cloncurry and communities in the gulf.
Inspector Kidd said the people were what made the Mount Isa district a great place to work in.
“A police officer out here can still make an impact,” he said. Officers were not lost in the big city crowds out in the regions.
“You treat people with respect and the vast majority of times they are reciprocal.”
Inspector Kidd retires from the Mount Isa Police Station on March 24, and takes long service leave before reaching QPS’s mandatory retirement age of 60.
A QPS statement said that Inspector Kidd is renowned for his ability to lead and manage police and the community to major incidents, investigations and events.
“He has been instrumental in ensuring the safety of the community during times of natural disaster, and the safe recovery of countless missing persons in remote areas. In addition to his management of major policing operations he has provided outstanding leaderships to remote and isolated communities, including the communities of Doomadgee and Mornington Island.
“His honest, genuine and sincere approach has earned him the respect of elders and community leaders.
“(This) has resulted in building partnerships and strengthening the relationships in these communities.”
Commissioner Ian Stewart said the APM was a “fitting acknowledgement” of officers’ commitment towards Queensland.
“Their leadership abilities and professionalism are qualities that reflect high standards which are expected of an officer of the Queensland Police Service.”
The other QPS receivers of the APM this year are Superintendent Amanda Brownhill, from the Legal Division, Sergeant Paula Byrne, from People Capability Command, Inspector Peter Flanders, from Road Policing Command, Detective Inspector Christopher Jory, from the Brisbane region, and Superintendent Michelle Stenner, from the South Eastern Region.
