Former Toodyay Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sergeant Paul McComish was named this year’s Police Officer of the Year at an official function in Perth on Tuesday 5 October.

Acting Commissioner Chris Dawson APM presented the award and said Sergeant McComish (pictured here with his wife Maria) had shown strong community leadership in the face of a “devastating event” - the Toodyay bushfires which occurred on 29-30 December 2009.

“After supporting the fire-fighting effort and helping to keep the Toodyay community safe during the bushfires, Sergeant McComish then took the lead as the town tried to rebuild,” Acting Commissioner Dawson said. “He stepped forward as the person the community could rely on to solve problems.”

Sergeant McComish, who is now based at Wanneroo Police Station, said he was honoured to receive the prestigious award.

“I wasn’t the only person in Toodyay putting in the work,” he said. “The whole community really came together to support each other and rebuild.

“To receive this award among all the police officers in WA doing some great work and the other two finalists here who’ve done incredible work themselves – it’s really humbling.”

The two Police Officer of the Year runners up were Wiluna Police Station’s Sergeant David McCutcheon and Gosnells PCYC’s First Class Constable Kay Turner.

Sergeant McCutcheon was nominated by Wiluna Regional Partnership Agreement Coordinator Alan Stewart for his commitment to the local community. One of his most successful initiatives has been a program to help local people obtain their driver's licences.

First Class Constable Turner was nominated by several Gosnells community members for almost completely eliminating offending behaviour among a number of young prolific and priority offenders by creating a school that is tailored to their needs.

Sergeant McComish received a certificate and $5000 from Police and Nurses Credit Society and the two runners up each received $1000.