National Police Bravery Awards

Former Senior Constable Andrew Whitall was awarded the 2022 National Police Bravery Award for WA at this year’s event due to the disruption of COVID-19 in last year’s proceedings. WAPU President Paul Gale and fellow Union Directors attended the event ceremony in Caberra this year to accept Senior Constable Whitall’s award, as he was unable to attend. Senior Constable Whitall was presented his award at WAPU HQ on Friday, 3 November.

Senior Constable Whitall was awarded this honour due to his brave actions on Thursday, 26 November 2020. On this day, Senior Constable Whitall and his partner, as well as two other officers, engaged in a high-speed pursuit of an offender who was reported to have stolen two firearms. After an encounter which resulted in the offender exiting his vehicle, pointing his weapon and fleeing on foot into nearby bushland, Senior Constable Whitall and his partner arrived at the scene.

Unaware of the incident, they gave chase after the offender and were separated, at which point Senior Constable Whitall found himself caught alone with the offender and was forced to snatch the shotgun from his hand. The firearm fell to the ground and discharged, missing both Senior Constable Whitall and the offender, after which the offender was wrestled to the ground. ■

87th Annual Conference Dinner

TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER

PARMELIA HILTON HOTEL