Fr Paul received some unexpected recognition when he recently attended the annual training conference for the NSW police chaplains, who were gathering in person for the first time since the COVID pandemic began in early 2020.

While at the conference all Chaplains who served between 1 July 2019 and 31 December 2020 were presented with the ‘Commissioner’s Emergency Commendation’ which was awarded  ‘in recognition of the extraordinary commitment to duty and professionalism demonstrated during unprecedented natural disasters, emergencies and deployments’.

Fr Paul, who has served as a police chaplain for over 15 years, also received recognition of this milestone in the form of a service medal.

Police Chaplains, like Fr Paul, minister to the spiritual welfare of NSW Police employees, former employees, widows, widowers and their immediate families. Among other things, they respond to critical and traumatic events, emergency situations and the scenes of disaster to support police officers, perform police funerals and assist families in time of bereavement, and provide counselling on personal and moral problems relating to work and family.

Thank you, Fr Paul, for the wonderful work you do as a Police Chaplain. Congratulations on your 15 years serving in this role.