A Capalaba Tactical Crime Squad officer who has led drug investigations that shut down major drug networks and activities, including trafficking, was named Redlands' top cop at this year's Rotary Vocational and Police Officer of the Year awards.
Sergeant Pat Bates received the award, presented by Chief Superintendent Shane Chelepy and 2014 Police Officer of the Year Detective Senior Constable Ross Dobbie, in a ceremony at Redlands RSL on Monday, October 12.
In outlining Sgt Bates’ achievements, which included operations he led that resulted in drug charges being dealt with by the Supreme Court, Bayside Detective Inspector Owen Elloy said the Redlands had “been saved a lot of pain as a result of jobs Sgt Bates and his crew have undertaken”.
Sgt Bates said he was honoured to receive the award and gave credit to the team with which he works.
“I work in a team of 14 people who work very hard and this award really is a result of team effort over about four or five years,” he said.
“This award has been earned by them as much as it has by me.”
Capalaba Tactical Crime Squad OIC Senior Sergeant Warren Piket said Sgt Bates’ award was “well deserved”.
Other police service awards went to:
- Community Police Award – Senior Constable Samantha Schofield, from Capalaba Police Beat.
- Outstanding Police Action Award – Senior Constable Clint Banks, from Redland Bay Police Station.
- Highly Commended – Senior Constable Scott Stephens, from Redland Bay Police Station.
The police awards were held in conjunction with vocational awards that recognised high achievers in sales, customer service and business practices.
The Stan Green Award for sales and customer service went to Pattemore’s Meats butcher Ross Heywood, with Heritage Bank Cleveland customer service officer Tracey Sloane receiving the highly commended award.
Don and Nick Scali, who own Diplomat Hairdressers, won the Rotary Pride in Workplace Award for best business practices while Chemist King Cleveland manager Lesley Power was highly commended.
