Police honoured on King's Birthday

Media release
Four diligent Western Australia Police Force officers have had their hard work rewarded with Australian Police Medals in the 2025 King’s Birthday honours.
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Assistant Commissioner Martin Haime

AC Martin Haime has devoted his career to advancing public safety and modern policing across Western Australia. With decades of service in the WA Police Force, he has played a leading role in driving innovation, operational excellence, and community-focused policing. Recently promoted to Assistant Commissioner (Metropolitan Region), his leadership is defined by a strong strategic vision, collaborative approach, and commitment to both his officers and the broader community.

One of his significant contributions has been the development and implementation of innovative dispatch protocols in partnership with St John Ambulance. These reforms transformed how emergency incidents are managed, improving coordination between agencies, enhancing situational awareness, and ultimately contributing to faster and more effective responses to critical incidents.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, AC Haime led major components of Operation Tide, where his work in designing and implementing state emergency plans helped ensure both public and frontline officer safety. These initiatives were crucial in navigating the uncertainty and operational challenges of the pandemic and maintaining trust within the community.

AC Haime has also been a driving force in improving the WA Police Force’s approach to family violence. His advocacy for better support systems and stronger operational frameworks has led to meaningful improvements in how these incidents are managed, ensuring vulnerable individuals receive the protection and care they need.

He has championed technology upgrades across the agency, overseeing the rollout of body-worn cameras and modern CAD systems to better equip officers in the field. He has also provided crucial support to the Mental Health Co-Response Model, which has reduced police presence at hospitals and improved outcomes for individuals experiencing mental health crises.

AC Haime has consistently focused on building stronger relationships between police and Aboriginal communities, supporting the Community Liaison Officers Program to improve cultural engagement and understanding. His leadership, forward-thinking mindset, and commitment to public safety have left a lasting legacy within the WA Police Force and the communities it serves.


Detective Senior Sergeant Greg McDonald

Det. S/Sgt Greg McDonald has served the Western Australia Police Force for more than 40 years, earning widespread respect for his investigative skill, leadership and unwavering dedication to justice. 

His career has spanned a wide range of postings, including the Major Crime Division, Internal Affairs and multiple regional and metropolitan districts.

Through each of these roles, he has demonstrated a high level of professionalism and reliability, building a reputation for excellence. He is well known for his calm, measured approach and ability to lead investigations with diligence and integrity.

His strong sense of responsibility and deep experience have made him a mentor to many within the force.

In 2013, Det. S/Sgt McDonald led several major homicide investigations including Operations Wedge, Desire, and Rocky – all complex cases involving multiple victims and highly sensitive circumstances.

All three investigations resulted in successful prosecutions, a reflection of his methodical approach and ability to guide teams through high-pressure situations.

His leadership was further demonstrated in 2020 when he was appointed as Senior Investigating Officer for Taskforce Ravello, responding to the fatal shooting of a senior member of an outlaw motorcycle gang.

Under his leadership, the team executed more than 210 search warrants, laid more than 650 charges, and seized multiple firearms. The taskforce’s impact extended beyond solving a single crime to significantly disrupting organised criminal activity in WA.

Throughout his career, Det. S/Sgt McDonald has consistently shared his knowledge with other investigators, particularly within State Crime and in Regional WA portfolios.

He is highly regarded as a mentor, helping develop the next generation of detectives.

His contributions to the WA Police Force have had a lasting impact on investigative standards, community safety, and the Agency’s ability to handle the most serious and complex crimes.

His service stands as a testament to the values of commitment, integrity, and excellence in policing.


Detective Senior Sergeant Katharine Venn

Det. S/Sgt Katharine Venn has served with the Western Australia Police Force for 18 years, establishing herself as a strong leader and highly capable investigator.

She began her career in general duties before becoming a detective in 2009, working across several specialist teams including Perth City Detectives, South East Metro Crime Team, and the Sex Assault Squad.

Promoted to Sergeant in 2017, she took on key leadership roles at Mirrabooka Police Station, and regularly acted as Officer-In-Charge.

Her broad operational experience, coupled with her calm and methodical approach, laid the foundation for her next role in Internal Affairs, where she contributed to maintaining professional standards across the agency.

In 2022, Det. S/Sgt Venn became Officer-In-Charge of the Missing Persons Unit. One of her most significant achievements was advancing the investigation of a long-term missing person case, where she coordinated large-scale regional search operations and collaborated with a television production team to raise public awareness.

These efforts ultimately led to the discovery of human remains and closure for the family.

On her promotion to her current rank in 2023, she became the first woman appointed as a Senior Investigating Officer in the Homicide Squad. In this capacity, she has led several high-profile investigations, including the response to a fatal seaplane crash off Rottnest Island.

She worked closely with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and Consular officials to ensure a sensitive and coordinated response for both local and international victims’ families.

Det. S/Sgt Venn’s leadership is characterised by professionalism, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility. Her work reflects a deep commitment to public safety, justice, and the well-being of both victims and the broader community.

She continues to lead by example, mentoring others and setting a high standard for investigative excellence.

Her trailblazing role in the Homicide Squad and her outstanding contributions across various portfolios make her highly deserving of the Australian Police Medal.


Senior Aboriginal Police Liaison Officer Ian Tullock

Senior Aboriginal Police Liaison Officer Ian Tullock has dedicated more than 45 years of service to the Western Australia Police Force, making him the longest-serving Aboriginal Police Liaison Officer in the state.

He began his career in 1978 as a Police Aide in Port Hedland, where he spent decades building trust between police and local Aboriginal communities.

Mr Tullock’s deep cultural knowledge and fluency in local customs, language, and community dynamics have made him an indispensable part of WA policing.

For more than 30 years, he worked across Port Hedland and South Hedland, acting as a bridge between the Aboriginal population and police, ensuring that communication was respectful, culturally appropriate, and effective.

His skill and cultural insight were particularly valuable during his time in Kalgoorlie, where he supported detectives in the investigation of serious sexual assaults.

His ability to build rapport with community members who were initially reluctant to speak to police led to crucial breakthroughs in several cases. He also provided frontline officers with cultural advice, helping manage complex community interactions with respect and understanding.

Mr Tullock has often been called upon to defuse volatile situations, particularly during funeral gatherings, where tensions between families could escalate.

His negotiation skills and community standing allowed him to broker peaceful resolutions and even facilitate the voluntary surrender of individuals involved in offences stemming from disputes.

In every role, Mr Tullock has demonstrated a commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal people and strengthening trust between police and communities.

His efforts to locate offenders, even when traditional investigative methods fail, speak to the depth of his knowledge and relationships within the region.

A mentor and respected advisor, Mr Tullock continues to serve at South Hedland Police Station, where he supports both community members and fellow officers. His dedication, cultural intelligence, and long-standing service make him an invaluable member of the WA Police Force and a deserving recipient of the Australian Police Medal.

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