DETECTIVE Superintendent Steven Clarke of the Coffs/Clarence Police District, based at Coffs Harbour Police Station, has been awarded the Australian Police Medal (APM) in the King’s Birthday 2023 Honours.

Nominations for the awards can be by an officer’s peers, commander or a member of the community, and are announced twice a year, in January (Australia Day) and June (King’s Birthday).

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Steven Clarke has spent his 35-year career in operational policing and has been an exceptional leader, displaying courage, resilience, and fortitude, according to a NSW Police Force statement.

He lives and works in the local community and is a well-rounded leader who continues to perform his duties to the highest standards, setting an example to the police that he leads.

Detective Superintendent Steven Clarke commenced duty at Scone Police Station in 1988.

In 1992 he transferred to Inverell and in 1997 commenced his career in criminal investigations.

In 2002 he was promoted to Detective Sergeant at Inverell.

In 2005 he was promoted to Detective Inspector as Crime Manager at Richmond Local Area Command.

In 2009 he transferred to Mid North Coast Local Area Command as Crime Manager.

He relieved extensively as Commander at Mid North Coast Local Area Command and Hunter Valley Local Area Command.

In 2016 Steven was promoted to Superintendent and Commander of the Hunter Valley Local Area Command.

While Commander he oversaw the challenging process of establishing the new Hunter Valley Police District, comprising the former Hunter Valley Local Area Command and portions of the Central Hunter Local Area Command.

During this process he was required to manage significant issues within the new district and Hunter Valley community.

In 2018 he transferred to the Coffs Clarence Police District.

In 2019-20 as Local Emergency Operations Controller (LEOCON) Steven oversaw the local response and recovery phases for the widespread and extreme bushfire season that NSW experienced.

By Andrea FERRARI