Toowoomba police officers' bravery rewarded - Toowoomba Chronicle

• Lacey Burley


• 28th Nov 2012 6:00 AM

Police awards at the Empire Church, Senior Sergeant Mike Newman (left) Detective Sergeant Darren Lees and received an Assistant Commissioner's Certificate Operational to recognise their efforts in a Brisbane siege in 1996.. Photo: Bev Lacey / The Chronicle Bev Lacey

TWO Toowoomba police officers have been recognised for their efforts in a dangerous siege in which they were bitten, spat on and assaulted with furniture.

Detective Sergeant Darren Lees and Senior Sergeant Mike Newman feared for the life of a four-month-old baby when they forced their way into a barricaded unit in West End in May 1997.

A man affected by a cocktail of alcohol, drugs and horse steroids had returned home from a night out and assaulted his wife and twin four-month-old babies by pushing them down a set of concrete stairs.

Witnesses saw the wife flee the unit with one child but it was feared the other baby was still inside.

Det Sgt Lees, who was then a constable, was first to arrive at the unit and remembered seeing steam coming from a window.

"He had hot water running and I thought he was going to drown the child in hot water," he said.

The offender had barricaded the door with furniture and police could smell gas, petrol and smoke coming from the unit.

Det Sgt Lees and then plain clothes constable Mike Newman repeatedly tried to kick down the door before it was removed at the hinges.

Det Sgt Lees was able to place his arm past the furniture when the man broke a leg off a coffee table and started beating Det Sgt Lees with it.

It took three police officers to subdue the man.

"It was a massive wrestle, he was huge," Det Sgt Lees said.

"All three of us got bitten and he was spitting.

"It was probably one of the more violent and hair-raising events in my time at West End."

They searched the unit and discovered the other twin baby was not inside. The baby had been taken from the unit earlier by their mother.

Det Sgt Lees and Snr Sgt Newman received Assistant Commissioner's Certificate - Operational awards yesterday.

Snr Sgt Newman also received an Assistant Commissioner's Certificate - Operational award for his role in a two-year drug operation in the far northern police region from 2004 to 2006.

About $5.3 million worth of drugs were seized during Operation Charlie Thatch and 104 offenders were charged. Snr Sgt Newman was an integral member of the operation team.

Johns effort labels him a great neighbour

RANGEVILLE man John Hoare has been "the eyes and ears" of his community during his involvement with Neighbourhood Watch over the past 18 years.

Mr Hoare, 72, was awarded the Neighbourhood Watch Gold Lapel award yesterday.

He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the army and has dedicated his spare time to the Rangeville Neighbourhood Watch.

Mr Hoare is currently a member but over the years has held positions of area coordinator, deputy area coordinator, newsletter editor, secretary and treasurer.

"You feel a lot more secure . . . if something strange or untoward happens in your neighbourhood it is being noticed by someone else who will do something about it," he said.

"A lot of people work but those who don't keep an eye on their street.

"We can help each other and it is the greatest deterrent to neighbourhood crime.

"We are the eyes and ears of the neighbourhood."

The group is hoping to attract younger members and last year launched their Facebook page.

Mr Hoare was presented his award at the Queensland Police Service Toowoomba District Awards ceremony yesterday.

Sandra has 45 years service recognised

COUNTLESS staff have passed through the doors of the Toowoomba Police Station over the past 45 years but one friendly face has remained the same.

Sandra Connors, 60, has received an award for 45 years of diligent service.

Ms Connors started working as an administration officer at the station when she was 15 in 1967.

"I started in the typing pool, typing up police reports," she said.

"For about 10 years I was the secretary for the Superintendent. That was a real highlight."

She has worked as an administrative officer in almost every section of the Toowoomba Police station with the exceptions of the traffic branch and scenes of crime.

"I enjoying working with this wonderful organisation," Ms Connors said.

Ms Connors was presented with her 7th clasp for 45 years service at the Queensland Police Service Toowoomba District Awards ceremony at the Empire Church Theatre yesterday.

Station officer-in-charge Tony Neumann described Ms Connors' achievement as "very remarkable".

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