Medal for police officer

A FORMER New Norfolk man has been awarded the Australian Police Medal in the Australia Day Honours List for 2014. Inspector Glenn Lathey is the son of Derwent Valley deputy mayor Barry Lathey and his wife Madge. The medal is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian police force and recipients are entitled to the post-nominal APM.

Tasmania Police commissioner  Darren Hine said Inspector Lathey was a worthy recipient of the Australian Police Medal and had made valuable contributions to policing. Inspector Lathey started his career as a cadet in 1976 and was the runner-up dux of his course.

"Inspector Lathey has worked in all districts and a range of support commands, including uniform, crime and drug investigation, the Tasmania Police Academy, Office of the Commissioner and Cold Case Unit," Mr Hine said. "He was seconded to the National Crime Authority in Melbourne in 1994 for two years as a senior investigator, and the Australian Federal Police, as Commander of the Airport Police in Hobart in 2006 for two years.

“He has received notable commendations for his efficiency and devotion to duty during severe fires at Zeehan in 1981; for his courage under gun fire during an incident at George Town in 1994; for courage and professionalism upon disarming a highly unstable and violent man in Launceston in 1993 and in 2005 for his high level investigation skills resulting in the successful prosecution of offenders involved in two violent home invasions upon elderly victims.

“Inspector Lathey is well recognised by his peers for his management of serious crime investigations, his involvement as a member of the Special Operations Group and counter terrorism investigations and related work, his high level investigative skills and ability to prepare complex and comprehensive prosecution materials and his calm demeanour,” Mr Hine said.

Inspector Lathey is a previous recipient of the National Medal and clasp.