A senior Queensland Police Service detective with a career spanning youth justice, child protection and illicit firearm crime has been named among seven QPS officers awarded the Australian Police Medal, the nation’s highest policing honour, as part of the 2026 King’s Birthday awards.
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Detective Superintendent George Marchesini, Regional Crime Coordinator for the QPS Southern Region, which covers the Ipswich, Darling Downs and South West policing districts, received the medal in recognition of his long career in frontline policing across some of law enforcement’s most demanding areas.
The Australian Police Medal is awarded by the Governor-General of Australia on behalf of the Sovereign. It recognises distinguished service in law enforcement, community safety, emergency response and governance, and is presented to only a small number of officers nationally each year.
According to the QPS, Detective Superintendent Marchesini developed initiatives and strategies that provided frontline officers with enhanced safety processes and decision-making tools, as well as more effective information and intelligence sharing across units and agencies. He also developed programs to support early intervention and reduce repeat offending.
Detective Superintendent Marchesini was one of seven QPS officers named in this year’s King’s Birthday list. He is joined by Chief Superintendent Marcus Hill of the Aviation Capability Group, Chief Inspector Tyler Crosby, Detective Inspector Lisa Scully of the Ethical Standards Command, Retired Senior Sergeant Ritchie Callaghan, Senior Sergeant R of the Special Emergency Response Team, and Rockhampton Highway Patrol Sergeant Christopher Sullivan.
QPS Acting Commissioner Brett Pointing, himself an APM recipient from 2008, extended congratulations to all award recipients.
“The 2026 King’s Birthday awards represent the highest standard of policing, law enforcement and emergency service across the country, and our recipients embody the integrity, respect and courage the QPS is guided by,” Acting Commissioner Pointing said.
“Their dedication to serving the community with compassion, professionalism and integrity reflects the very best of the QPS, and I proudly acknowledge their accomplishments. Their contributions across regional operations, frontline support, specialist roles, training and investigations directly strengthen the Service’s ability to enhance community safety.”
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Two Queensland State Emergency Service members were also recognised in the honours. Cindel Richardson, a volunteer with more than 20 years of SES service, received the Emergency Service Medal for her work in search and rescue, disaster response and community preparedness. Far Western Area Controller John Wallace was also awarded the ESM for more than three decades of service coordinating volunteer capability across southwestern and far western Queensland.
Published 9-June-2026
