Bravery award for Moreton officer

Above: Senior Constable George Lang with Acting Assistant Commissioner Glen Morris at the awards ceremony.

A Moreton District officer who tackled an "armed offender" - despite being unarmed himself - has received a medal for bravery.

It was one of 61 awards presented by Acting Assistant Commissioner Glen Morris at this month’s Moreton District Awards Ceremony.

They included National Service Medals, State Service Medals and Special Awards such as the Dave Masters Award and Perry Irwin Perpetual Award.

Senior Constable George Lang received the Queensland Police Bravery medal for “quick thinking, brave and selfless actions in protecting the lives of officers and the community at Redcliffe”.

On September 21, 2021, Sen-Const Lang “disarmed an armed person” who had crashed into a parked car in front of Redcliffe Police Station.

Sen-Const Lang was working in Redcliffe Watch house when he heard the crash and raced outside.

Though unarmed, he fought the “armed offender” after two other officers had been threatened at gun point.

“When I was informed that I was receiving the bravery award, I felt very honoured,” Sen-Const Lang said.

“I’m not sure if proud is the right word to describe what I did. I never thought I would ever be in a situation like that.

“As a QPS member, when our backs are against the wall, we will all dig deep to help each other to the best of our abilities.”

At the ceremony Queensland Police Service Medals and Clasps were awarded to 22 members of the QPS in recognition of their ethical service and contributions.

Administration staff member Leanne Binnie, from Petrie Station, received a 45-year service clasp, while Inspector Darren Smith, Acting Superintendent Paul Ready and Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Green received 35-year clasps.

District Officer Certificates went seven police officers, one staff member and two Justices of the Peace for their “commitment, dedication and tenacity of purpose to their duties or in responding to an incident in the community”.

Two members of the State Emergency Service, Local Controller Sean Harrop and Volunteer Mitchell Child received the District Office Certificate for their “assistance in a land search at Ningi in response to a murder investigation where critical evidence was located”.

Senior Constable Jimmy Griffiths, from Moreton Dog Squad, was awarded the David Masters Award in recognition of service to the community and colleagues.

Awards picture gallery - click through

He is a regular at Queensland Children’s hospital, mostly in his own time, where he visits the sick children and fulfils ‘Make A Wish’ requests.

His award is named after Sen-Const Masters who was fatally injured while deploying road spikes to stop a stolen vehicle on the Bruce Highway at Burpengary on June 26, 2021.

Moreton District Tactical Crime Squad was awarded the Perry Irwin Perpetual Award in recognition of the outstanding efforts of officers in that section.

The unit delivered “effective and responsive policing services across the Moreton Police District, which have contributed to the prevention and disruption of criminal offending”.

Senior Sergeant Perry Irwin was Officer-in-Charge at Caboolture when, on August 22, 2003, he was shot by a drug addict in bushland and died at the scene.

Officer of the Year awards included:

• Moreton North Officer of the Year: Constable Krystal Barker
• Peninsula Officer of the Year: Sergeant Siva Chetty
• Pine Rivers Officer of the Year: Senior Constable Adrian King
• Crime Group Officers of the Year: Detective Sergeant Kim Rasker, Detective Senior Constable Jade Fleming
• Support Services Officer of the Year: Sergeant Jason Austin

“We recognised the exceptional service and commitment of officers and staff of the Queensland Police Service with the presentation of National and Queensland Police Service awards,” A/Assistant Commissioner Morris said.

“These awards acknowledge the dedication and commitment shown by the recipients to their duties and I thank them for their service to the Queensland Police Service and to the greater community”.

For details on a career in policing visit PoliceRecruit.qld.gov.au