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A long serving Tasmania Police officer has been awarded an Australian Police Medal in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Inspector John Bird is the officer-in-charge of Forensic Services. He signed on as a Junior Constable in 1971.
Inspector Bird began his career in the Traffic Control and Prosecution Sections in Hobart, but most of his career has been in the Forensic and Photographic areas.
He has extensive experience in crime scene examination, arson investigation and fingerprint investigation.
“During a career spanning 38 years, Inspector Bird has given outstanding service to the Tasmanian community,” said Acting Commissioner of Police, Scott Tilyard.
“His devotion to duty, diligence and leadership has been recognised throughout his career,” said Mr Tilyard.
He was commended in 1995 for skilful and diligent scientific examination of the crime scenes in relation to the murder of Amanda Carter, and the presentation of evidence given against the offender.
The committed and professional manner in which he carried out his duties in relation to the Port Arthur shooting tragedy was also commended in 1997.
Inspector Bird was awarded an Order of Australia for his service as part of the police joint Bali bombing investigation and victim identification process, known as Operation ALLIANCE, in 2003. His role was Head of Disaster Victim Identification.
He was awarded the National Medal for diligent service to the community in 1987 followed by the 1st clasp in 1997. The Commissioner’s Medal for ethical and diligent service was presented to him in 1999.
As the officer-in-charge of Tasmania Police Forensic Services, Inspector Bird has overseen the introduction of significant changes in technology to improve forensic services support to criminal investigations, as well as Disaster Victim Identification.
These changes have included the use of the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) and the Livescan system. Livescan provides real-time state-wide processing of fingerprints and technical crime scene support services. The capacity and efficiency of Forensic Services to utilise advances in DNA evidentiary collection and screening in investigating crime scenes has been enhanced.
“Under his leadership, Forensic Services has established a high level of expertise in Disaster Victim Identification, with teams from Tasmania Police assisting the Australian response to the Bali bombings, tsunami disaster in Thailand and more recently the Victorian bushfires,” said Mr Tilyard.
(8 June 2009)