Meet your police officer of the year

Exemplary service, strong leadership and dedication to the community has earnt Senior Sergeant Trisha Stjepic the title of police officer of the year at the 2022 Nine News Police Excellence Awards.

Trisha received multiple nominations for her outstanding commitment to leadership, operational integrity, and building rapport with the community.

Beginning her policing journey as wide-eyed police cadet in 2007, Trisha later became a police recruit in 2008. After graduation, she spent two months at Perth Police Station before going regional to South Hedland Police Station.

Following her regional service, Trisha returned to the city and took up roles at the Online Child Exploitation Team, Child Abuse Squad and Armadale Police Station, before undertaking her Detective Training in 2013.

She also worked at Cannington District Crime Team, Sex Offender Management Squad and Kensington Police Station before transferring to South West Detectives and back to the Regional Investigations Unit, before being promoted to shift supervisor at Belmont Police Station.

The senior sergeant said she was surprised by the win, but very proud of her accomplishment.

“It was a very proud moment and one that I couldn’t have achieved without the support of my family, colleagues and in particular, my husband,” she said.

“I was shocked with the nomination. You come to work every day and just do your best: you don’t ever think to do it for recognition so it was a nice surprise.”

Trisha is a shift supervisor at Belmont of a team of ten.

“It’s a busy location with very junior staff so it’s a great role for me to be able to mentor and lead those junior officers and help shape their careers,” she said.

“I have a detective background so I try to share my knowledge and experience with them the best I can.”

Trisha’s message to anyone wanting to join the force, was to go for it.

“Every day is different so you never know what your shift is going to bring. There are so many areas of policing too, so if you do not enjoy one area you can always move on and try something new,” she said.

“WA Police is so broad I am sure there will be an area you will love and make the most of every opportunity you are given. Every role, every job, every investigation comes with some kind of learning.”

WA’s 2022 top cop said that one of her more memorable jobs came recently when she was involved in helping a domestic violence victim who had no trust in government agencies after losing her children to CPFS.

“I worked with her, built trust and rapport and had her disclose some serious domestic violence from her ex-partner and refer a prosecution against them,” she said.

“Recently I have also been involved in investigating a covert drug investigation at a station level and exposing uniform police officers to this type of investigation.”

“These jobs give me great satisfaction as it is not something they are exposed to very often, so it’s great providing them that experience.”

Trisha is also known in her instrumental role in the establishment of the Quokkas , a WA female police officer football team.

“Having this team is a good outlet away from work, with likeminded people,” she said.

“To get the Quokkas up and running took a lot of effort but I’m very happy I was able to achieve this with the help of Inspector

SILWOOD. It’s great being able to provide a fun healthy supportive team for our local female officers, it’s something I wish they had back when I joined.”

Joining Trisha in her win at the Excellence Awards was the winner of the team category, Regional Investigations Unit, Criminal Gangs & Regional Investigations.

The Regional Investigations Unit officers have been recognised for their dedication to frontline policing in the identification, location and apprehension of some of the state’s most high-harm and active offenders.

They ensure community safety, whilst obtaining evidence and demonstrating empathy, understanding and care to victims.

If you know a deserving police officer doing outstanding work, nominations for the Nine News Police Excellence Awards open mid-year. ■

Free legal services for WAPU Members, their families and retired Members.

Leading Australian law firm, Tindall Gask Bentley is the preferred legal services provider of the WA Police Union, offering 30 minutes of free initial advice and a 10% fee discount.

To arrange a preliminary in-person or phone appointment contact WAPU HQ on (08) 9321 2155

CRIMINAL AND DISCIPLINARY

• The Corruption and Crime Commission

FAMILY AND DIVORCE

• Courts of Inquiry

• Criminal and Disciplinary matters

Matrimonial, De Facto and Same-Sex Relationships

• Children’s issues

• Child Support matters

PERSONAL INJURY

• Motor accident injury compensation

• Workers compensation

WILLS AND ESTATES

• Wills and Testamentary Trusts

• Enduring Powers of Attorney

• Enduring Guardians

• Property settlements

• “Pre-nuptial” style agreements

• Public liability

• Superannuation claims (TPD)

• Advice to executors of deceased estates

• Obtaining Grants of Probate

• Estate disputes

Tindall Gask Bentley is a leading Australian law firm.

We’ve been helping people with injury, family and estate matters for more than 50 years.

With a culture of service and empathy, we are fiercely committed to our clients.

JOANNE GRAHAM Associate Tindall Gask Bentley