Senior Constable First Class Daniel McGurgan

Rotary Club of Unley President Greg McLeod presenting the award to Senior Constable First Class Daniel McGurgan

Senior Constable First Class Daniel McGurgan was awarded the South Australia Police Officer of the Year for 2013 at a ceremony held at Soldiers Memorial Gardens in Unley on Tuesday, 20 May 2014.

Based at Waikerie Police Station, Senior Constable First Class McGurgan is well known in his local community for his community spirit and involvement, particularly with sporting events and schools.

His 30-year policing career includes an extensive background as a police liaison officer with local schools and Aboriginal communities, and significant involvement in community events. Senior Constable First Class McGurgan is a regular guest speaker at public occasions and tireless organiser of key local events.

Memorably, Senior Constable First Class McGurgan helped local residents gain assistance during the drought and played an integral role in saving the local Cadell ferry from closure; a service the town relies upon and one which recently proved crucial in getting firefighters quickly to a bushfire. He has also fought for his town’s survival by assisting Mid Murray Council in new planning reviews to attract local residents.

This prestigious award complements the Medal of the Order of Australia bestowed upon Senior Constable First Class McGurgan in this year’s Australia Day Honours in recognition of his considerable service to the Cadell community. This strong commitment to the community has previously been acknowledged with the 2011 Citizen of the Year award from Mid Murray Council and the award for 2007 SA Great Westpac Community Individual for the Riverland and Murraylands region.

The South Australia Police Officer of the Year Award commenced in 1978. Awarded annually by the Rotary Club of Unley, it seeks to increase awareness of the policing role in the community and offers an opportunity for the community to recognise an outstanding and committed police officer, who, in serving the community: displays high standards of professionalism; or performs significant acts of courtesy, kindness, understanding or courage; or handles a complex and difficult situation with humanity.

Article reprinted from SA Police Gazette

© 2014 Rotary Club of Unley Inc.