Police across our State work for the protection of our community.  They respond to people in need in their most vulnerable, scared, confused, threatened, traumatised and violated states.  They respond in situations where people are violent, under the influence of drugs or other substances, aggressive, unpredictable, evasive, obnoxious, disrespectful and dangerous.  They see awful things, things that they cannot unsee.

What police also do, is work to calm people and situations, to offer advice, reason, safety. They work in conjunction with other emergency services, schools, community groups, everyday people in this pursuit.

Leading Senior Sergeant Paula Allen, youth resource officer with Benalla Police, has been named the Blue Ribbon Foundation Police Officer of the year for 2019.

I am very proud to know Paula.  She has always shown a consistent and personal dedication to her community, particularly school students.

This caring nature, commitment and responsibility to provide support to those in need has gained her enormous respect in the community.

Paula is a person who attends events for her community even on her days off and always with a smile on her face. She is a determined woman and her colleagues use compassion as the word to describe her.

This genuine care helps keep people safe and helps keep young people out of the justice system, and it is reflected in the award she has received.

I know other Members in this place will join me to congratulate Leading Senior Sergeant Paula Allen, and to thank her for making the safety of our community her vocation.