Detective Chief Inspector Neil Hallinan - a Sutherland Shire resident - awarded prestigious Australian Police Medal

The award recognises 35 years of dedicated and exemplary service, including his present role in the State Crime Command's Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad.

Eleven NSW Police Force officers were awarded the Australian Police Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Detective Chief Inspector Neil Hallinan's shire connection has just come to notice.

Miranda MP Eleni Petinos said "the community is lucky to have a Police Force member like Mr Hallinan, who is dedicated to protecting their safety".

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Hallinan joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 as a Probationary Constable at the No. 13 Division - Campsie and Lakemba Police Stations.

In 1990, he transferred to the Bankstown District Special Operations Unit. He later performed plain clothes and criminal investigations at Lakemba Police Station, with the South West Major Crime Squad, and with the Campsie Detectives Office, where he received his designation of detective in 1995.

In 1996, he transferred to the Special Branch, performing both criminal investigations duties and protective security and close personal protection for State, Australian and internationally-protected persons including the Prime Minister, the NSW Premier, visiting dignitaries, heads of state, and royalty.

He continued criminal investigation duties at Campsie in 1998, was promoted to the rank of detective sergeant in 2000; and in 2004 to detective senior sergeant as the Investigations Manager at the Bankstown Local Area Command.

In 2006, he was seconded to the APEC 2007 Police Security Command as Dignitary Protection Manager and was responsible for planning for VIPs for the summit.

In 2008, he was formally recognised for his involvement in the planning, risk management, security and crowd management for World Youth Day.

In 2008, he commenced duty at the Metropolitan Robbery Unit before being promoted to the rank of detective inspector in 2010 as the Crime Manager at Rosehill Local Area Command, before transferring to the State Crime Command's Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad in 2016.