2012 marks the inaugural Presidents Award – a new category designed to recognise achievement in the detection, prevention and/or investigation of auto crime. Being the President’s Award, as the name suggests the final discretion for picking a winner fell to our Branch President, Mark Bennedick, with the assistance of the judging panel to provide a shortlist of nominees. Mark was unable to pick just one winner, and decided that there were two nominees who deserved the award. 

The first recipient was the Queensland Police Service Vehicle Crime Unit for Project Gypsy, accepted by Detective Sergeants Naomi Cornish and Renee Kurtz. Project Gypsy is a multi-faceted
approach the investigation and identification of caravan and trailer theft. In addition to recovering 5 stolen campers/trailers, the Project Gypsy team are working with manufacturers, Queensland Transport Authorities, insurers and industry bodies to enhance the processes and legislation for the registration of campers and trailers to assist in the reduction of rebirthing.

Many thanks to the judges who helped IAATI’s Australasian Branch President determine the winner of the year’s Investigation of the Year – Dennis CONNOR (Immediate Past President IAATI Australasian Branch); Les Fuller (Forensic Locksmith, Maxim Forensic Services) and Neil Baker (Product Compliance Manager Technical Service Operations Toyota Motor Corporation Australia).

L to R: Mark Bennedick; DS Naomi Cornish; and DS Renee Kurtz