Source: New South Wales – News
Three outstanding South Australia Police (SAPOL) officers have been acknowledged with Australian Police Medals (APM) in the 2025 King’s Birthday honours.
Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott, Superintendent Craig Wall, and Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Hughes are recognised for their dedication to policing and a collective 109 years of service.
The APM recognises meritorious contributions to an Australian police service and is presented by the Governor-General.
Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens APM LEM congratulated the three APM recipients on receiving this significant honour.
“These officers exemplify the values of South Australia Police and represent the commitment and professionalism in their work towards ensuring the safety and security of our community,” he said.
“Ian, Craig and Rebecca have each given decades of selfless service.
“Receiving this medal will go down as one of the highlights of their career.”
Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott
Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott joined SAPOL in 1987, and after serving on patrol and in the Operational Response Group, in 1994 he was promoted to Senior Constable in the Special Tasks and Rescue (STAR) Division, working as a firearms specialist in a Response Unit.
In 2000, Assistant Commissioner Parrott was promoted to Sergeant and two years later to Senior Sergeant, representing SAPOL in counter-terrorism training and development, enhancing national and local responses.
In 2005, he was appointed an Inspector, initially as Officer in Charge of Combined Operations within STAR Group and later within Human Resources Service.
In 2008, Assistant Commissioner Parrott’s leadership of frontline country policing began when he was promoted to Officer in Charge of Riverland Local Service Area (LSA), and then Murray Mallee LSA’s Superintendent. In these postings he was Forward Commander at a major domestic violence murder and siege resulting in the arrest and imprisonment of a significant violent offender; achieved excellent reductions in crime; and led his people in providing exemplary service to their communities.
He returned to Human Resources (HR) and then led metropolitan and peri-urban operations in South Coast LSA while also being integral to SAPOL’s White Ribbon Accreditation. While working in the Communications Group, he led the successful implementation of new computer systems, structures, and dispatch protocols in support of the District Policing Model.
In 2019, he was promoted to Assistant Commissioner, State Operations Service where he has driven road safety policing, regional policing, and First Nations policy and practice (including Closing the Gap initiatives) with extraordinary commitment.
Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott
Superintendent Craig Wall
Superintendent Craig Wall joined SAPOL in 1986, graduating to patrol duties then transferring to the Operations Response Group.
In 1994, he was promoted to Senior Constable in the Special Tasks and Rescue (STAR) Division, working in a Response Unit engaged in tactical policing and rescue duties. This included the May 1994 Nuriootpa siege in which he displayed professionalism and courage under fire from a suspect.
While at STAR he was promoted to Sergeant and to Senior Sergeant, qualified as a Police Diver, and was a tactical policing first responder at numerous high-risk tasks involving considerable danger.
In April 2008, Superintendent Wall was appointed an Inspector in the Protective Security Service. Returning to STAR in 2010 as Operations Inspector, he became Police Tactical Group Capability Advisor for the ANZCTC, responsible for facilitating national police tactical training courses including special weapons, explosives and tactical command.
Superintendent Wall also managed frontline patrols in the Transit Services Branch and Public Transport Safety Branch. Between 2015 and 2020 Superintendent Wall led country and metropolitan frontline services as Officer in Charge of the Hills Fleurieu LSA), Eastern Adelaide LSA and later Eastern District.
Since 2020 he has been Officer in Charge of STAR, where he implements a clear vision for continued development and implementation of specialist policing response capability across South Australia. His confidence, clarity and judgement inspire trust in his team. Superintendent Wall holds prominent positions on national committees, councils and working groups and has contributed significantly to national practices that are interoperable and consistent.
Superintendent Craig Wall
Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Hughes
Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Hughes joined SAPOL in 1993 and was initially posted to the Elizabeth Police Station.
In 2003, she was promoted to Senior Constable and commenced in the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB). During this time, she also worked on the Focus 21 initiative that set the strategic direction for SAPOL at the time.
As a CIB member and later a designated Detective, she continued a career balanced between criminal investigation and strategic contribution, serving on Project Compass and the Organisational Reform Unit, and coordinating an extensive program focused on enhancing customer service at the frontline.
Detective Senior Sergeant Hughes was promoted whilst in the Special Crimes Investigation Branch, and again when managing the Australian National Child Offender Register (ANCOR) Unit. At ANCOR, she has provided highly valued insight into legislative and policy matters at both state and national level, extending beyond her immediate responsibilities to drive the future of child protection. Her strategic acumen and meticulous preparation of processes and strategies have been integral to a suite of legislative and operational enhancements. These have included harmonisation of state, territory and Commonwealth child sex offender registration schemes, which has improved the tracking and management of offenders and led to more effective prevention strategies.
Detective Senior Sergeant Hughes has also significantly enhanced information sharing between jurisdictions and to ensure children at risk receive timely and appropriate protection. The measures led by Detective Senior Sergeant Hughes have collectively contributed to a safer environment for children by improving the efficiency of the child protection system and reflect Australia’s commitment to upholding the rights and safety of children as expressed in the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-2031.
Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Hughes