Youth boxing to counter-terrorism: NSW best cops awarded medal
From breakfast and boxing programs for disadvantaged youths, to heading up the high-risk NSW Police tactical operations group, Detective Superintendent Paul Pisanos has squeezed a lot into his 30-year-plus career.
After entering the force as a constable in 1988, now-Superintendent Pisanos has dedicated his career to reducing violence, fear and crime.
On Monday he was among Australian police officers who received the Austrailan Police Medal as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Today Superintendent Pisanos is the commander of the Tactical Operations Group, Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command, responsible for the prevention of and response to the threat of terrorism in NSW.
Prior to this, he launched a number of youth programs credited with reducing youth crime and placing disadvantaged young people with private businesses, providing work experience for possible future full-time employment.
The Australian Police Medal was created in 1986. The medal gives special recognition to members of Australian police forces for commendable service.
Other officers to receive the medal on Monday included Detective Sergeant Michael O'Keefe who participated in an investigation into two people who were lost overboard from a luxury cruise liner in 2013.
Detective Chief Inspector Michael Cook, Superintendent John Gralton, Chief Inspector Peter Hansen, Detective Chief Inspector Bernhard Janssen and Superintendent Karen Jane McCarthy were also fellow medal recipients.