Deniliquin Sergeant Samara Hynes with Assistant Commissioner Rashelle Conroy and Commissioner Mal Lanyon.
Photo by
S/C Rose Guest
Deniliquin-based Police Sergeant Samara Hynes has been recognised at state level for her role in supporting her fellow officers.
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Sgt Hynes last week received the Commissioner’s Perpetual Safety Award, and was also awarded the Voluntary Health and Wellbeing Support Role award.
The Voluntary Health and Wellbeing Support Role award recognises an individual who has gone above and beyond their regular duties to support and promote health and wellbeing initiatives, demonstrating dedication and initiative.
It acknowledges their positive impact on colleagues’ physical and mental health, and highlights their voluntary efforts within the workplace.
It was one of three awards presented at the 2025 Commissioner’s Safety Awards at the Goulburn Police Academy last Friday, winners of which are considered for the perpetual award.
The other award categories were Leadership in Workplace Health and Safety Culture and Recovery at Work Achievement for Workers.
Sgt Hynes holds the exhibits portfolio at Deniliquin Police Station - managing the collection and management of evidence and property seized by police - and is responsible for educating officers on handling exhibits and their safety and wellbeing while doing so.
But she takes her role a step further, helping to support young officers who relocate to Deniliquin for work, helping them advance their careers, and providing opportunities for them to be connected to colleagues and community.
“I call them my kids, and as they said when presenting the award I have become known for my ‘mum chats’,” Sgt Hynes said.
The nomination for Sgt Hynes highlighted that she “provides a leadership example” and “continually goes above and beyond her regular duties to support others, and promote health and wellbeing in the workplace”.
“The work she does includes on the front line to educate staff on duty in safe handling of exhibits (firearms/drugs) and safe packaging from seizure to storage. She has made a difference in what she does.
Sgt Samara Hynes received two awards at the Commissioner’s Safety Awards, including the Commissioner’s Perpetual Safety Award.
“In her role as supervisor, she has gone beyond just caring for staff.
“She has had police around to her home for fitness/cross fit sessions to help their mental wellbeing and improve their fitness and health.
“In her work and own time, she meets with them, calls them 'mum sessions' where she checks on how they are going, checks on their needs and checks in - not as a supervisor to junior staff, but as someone who really cares about them to make sure they are doing okay.
“She takes an active role for all new staff coming in. In a recent example from the August 2025 class, she reached out and made contact, helping the new officer yet to graduate with finding accommodation and getting things ready to settle into Deniliquin.
“She is committed to supporting her colleagues physical, mental health and wellbeing.”
Sgt Hynes received her perpetual award from NSW Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon, APM, during one of his first official ceremonies since being sworn in.
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