Rodney Stevens
A 35-year career of dedication to the community has been recognised when Coffs Clarence Police District Detective Superintendent Steven Clarke was awarded the Australian Police Medal in the 2023 Kings Birthday honours.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb congratulated Superintendent Clarke and eight other officers who were awarded the medal.
“Through their selfless duty to the people of NSW, these officers embody the values and standards of the NSW Police Force,” Commissioner Webb said.
“This award honours that duty and I thank them for their exemplary dedication, compassion and leadership within their reams and communities.
“I have worked alongside many of these officers and know each is deserving of an APM.”
After graduating from the NSW Police Academy in 1988, Mr Clarke commenced duty at Scone, then he was transferred to Inverell in 1992 and commenced his career in criminal investigations in 1997.
In June 2002 he was promoted to Detective Sergeant at Inverell, then in October 2005 he was promoted to Detective Inspector as Crime Manager at Richmond Local Area Command, before he was transferred to Mid North Coast as Crime Manager in August 2009.
Det Supt Clarke initiated Strike Force Rosann in 2014 and commenced the investigation into a missing child.
He relieved extensively as Commander at Mid North Coast Local Area Command and Hunter Valley Local Area Command.
In September 2016 he was promoted to Superintendent and Commander of the Hunter Valley Local Area Command.
While Det Supt Clarke was commander he oversaw the challenging process of re-engineering and the formation of the new Hunter Valley Police District, where he was required to manage competing issues in relation to resources, staffing, and ensuring the policing needs of the outer sectors were being met.
In December 2018 Det Supt Clarke was transferred to the Coffs Clarence Police District where in 2019 and 2020 as Local Emergency Operations Controller he oversaw the local response and recovery phases for widespread and extreme bushfire season that NSW experienced.
Det Supt Clarke’s citation said he has spent his 35-year career in operational policing and has been an exceptional leader, displaying courage, resilience and fortitude.
He lives and works in the local community and is a well-rounded operational leader who continues to perform his duties to the highest standards, setting an example to the staff that he leads.
Police Minister Yasmin Cattley thanked the officers for their commitment to policing and the state.
“Policing is such a rewarding profession, it allows people to give back to their communities in a meaningful way,” she said.
“I want to personally thank each of these officers who have gone above and beyond in their duties as a NSW Police officer.”