Media notes - Meritorious

AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (APM)
Sergeant Robert Peter MINNS
Sergeant Minns joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Trainee in 1985 at the
NSW Police Academy, Goulburn, and was confirmed as a Constable in 1986 while
performing General Duties at The Rocks Police station. He has also performed General
Duties at Nowra, Berry, Engadine, Sutherland, Menai, Wollongong and Campbelltown, where
he was promoted to Sergeant in 2003, prior to moving to his current position as Supervisor,
Wollongong Local Area Command, in 2007. Sergeant Minns has organised fundraising
campaigns for injured and sick officers, as well as dependents of members who have passed
away. He makes contact regularly with injured and sick members, offering assistance where
he can. He has organised and attended fundraising campaigns, along with providing
numerous written submissions for various issues affecting police officers, all in his own time
and on a volunteer basis. In 2011, when deployed with other NSW Police in response to the
Queensland flood disaster, where prior to and after his rostered shift including his rest days,
he performed labour intensive tasks prior to and after his rostered shift and on rest days in a
number of homes of police officers affected by the floods, as well as for other members of the
community. Sergeant Minns has also initiated, planned and organised a 'giving tree' for
Christmas gifts to be provided to under-privileged children in his command.
Awards/recognition include:
NSW Police Commissioner's Unit Citation for his outstanding bravery and dedication to duty
as a member of the NSW Police Force response to civil disorder within Miranda, Eastern
Beaches, St George and Campsie Local Area Commands, 2008.
Detective Inspector Christopher Raymond OLEN
Detective Inspector Olen joined the New South Wales Police Force as a Cadet in 1977 at the
NSW Police Academy, Redfern, and was confirmed as a Constable in 1980 while performing
General Duties at Bondi. He entered the Criminal Investigation field and served with
distinction at many locations including Armed Hold-Up Squad, South Region Major Crime
Squad, NSW Crime Commission, North Sydney, North Region Major Crime Squad, Drug and
Organised Crime Strike Force Program (where in 1999 he was promoted to his current rank)
and the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad prior to his assuming the duties of Coordinator,
Homicide Squad, State Crime Command, in 2008. Detective Inspector Olen is responsible
for criminal investigations in the area of homicide-related offences in New South Wales, and
has led a number of major investigations including the murders of the Lin family at North
Epping and the murder of a police officer at West Tamworth. He provides extensive
knowledge, expertise, guidance and outstanding leadership to all detectives at the Homicide
Squad.
Awards/recognition include:
NSW Police Commissioner's Commendation for Service, 1993; in recognition of his
outstanding devotion to duty and high standard of investigative skills displayed while a
member of the Omega Taskforce in 1987.
30