SIXTY-three central Victorian police were awarded for their service to the community at an awards presentation at the Capital Theatre in Bendigo on Tuesday.
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Assistant Commissioner Western Region Jack Blayney presented the annual awards, which included Victoria Police Service Medals, National Medals, National Police Service Medals for different long service.
Leading Senior Constable Allan Foskett and Sergeant Peter Beaman received awards for 40 years of service.
Superintendent Michael West and Inspector Bradley Dixon received National Emergency Medals for their service during the Black Saturday bushfires.
A Regional Commendation went to Sergeant Trevor Bailey for his courage after an incident involving a violent offender while working alone on October 14, 2012.
Thirteen members received Divisional Commendations for a critical incident in Echuca on May 7 last year involving an armed man who self harmed and ultimately died as a consequence of self-inflicted wounds.
Inspector Wayne Barclay, Sergeant Dale Simm and Leading Senior Constable Simon Pearson received specific praise for their "decisive leadership" in response to the May 7 incident.
Assistant Commissioner Blayney said the day aimed to recognise the long service of members who "diligently and ethically serve our local communities" and was a chance for reflection.
"Today is a very, very important day for Victoria Police members, that being sworn members and those members of staff who are unsworn, who have their duty of support for those on the front line," he said.
"It's an opportunity for us to have a reflection on the work about the work that we do in terms of making the community safer and protecting it from harm, and in some ways we have even taken this sort of work for granted.
"So today it is very important for us to reflect on that and really get an understanding of the actual value that our members, our staff actually provide to the community."
He likened the day as a chance for members to "unpack the suitcase" and air all the challenges and achievements they had experienced.
"I see it as like a suitcase, what you've done is everything in your career, with all the challenges you've had, is in that suitcase," he said.
" You've lugged that suitcase around and it gets heavier and heavier as the years go by. Today you've got an opportunity to unpack that suitcase, and then take out the things and think about the things that have impacted on the achievements in your career... then you can begin to understand the importance of today."
