ALBURY police members have been recognised for their hard work at an awards ceremony, including two officers who helped crack a drug trafficking ring.
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Sergeant Troy Martin and Detective Senior Constable Hubert Schwartz were two of about 60 officers who received awards yesterday.
The duo worked on a long-running covert investigation codenamed Strike Force Roder which saw about 200 drug charges laid against members of a drug syndicate in 2012.
Among those charged was Matthew Marshall, a decorated ex-police drug squad detective who was sentenced to 18-months in jail.
Inspector David Cottee said the Commissioner’s Unit Citation received by both men on Wednesday was well-deserved.
“It was a particularly long-running and detailed investigation which involved both integrity and diligence,” he said.
“The investigation resulted in over 200 charges and some 20-odd arrests.
“Because it comes from the Commissioner, it is quite a well-regarded award.”
Chief Inspector Kim Sorensen was also given the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal for his work during the Christchurch earthquake response in 2011.
Retired and serving officers also received the National Police Service Medal, National Medal and NSW Police Medal, with about 200 people in attendance.
Inspector Cottee said it was important to acknowledge the work police officers undertook in the community in often trying conditions.
“This was just one way of us doing that in a formal sense,” he said.
“We certainly can’t capture all of the accolades that are given to us by the community.
“We appreciate that many of these go unofficially recognised, but the community in general is very respectful for the way police respond and the efforts police make.”
Wednesday's ceremony was attended by about 150 people, including the police members.
Long service medals were also issued to those who have performed ethically and diligently.
“It means they're given some official and formal recognition of their years of dedicated services in often difficult circumstances,” Inspector Cottee said.
“I think it would be fair to say that we all joined NSW Police to serve the community and we retain that throughout our service.”