31-year policing career started on the mean streets of Cabramatta

From drug wars on the streets of Cabramatta, in Sydney, to the remote outback town of Brewarrina, Chief Inspector Greg Flood has been stationed all across NSW, but he keeps coming back to the South Coast.

Now in charge of the Batemans Bay sector of the South Coast Police District, Chief Inspector Flood was one of 11 NSW Police officers awarded the prestigious Australian Police Medal, as part of the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for outstanding service to the community.

The veteran officer said receiving the award was a “proud moment”.

“There are so many police I have worked with who would be worthy of such recognition, and I have to acknowledge those people who have no doubt assisted in some way in getting me where I am today,” he said.

“It’s great to be acknowledged, but it’s the people who took the time to nominate me who deserve the recognition.”

In July 2021, Chief Inspector Flood will clock up 31 years with NSW Police, a career that has taken him all across the state.

He kicked off his career at the busy Cabramatta station in western Sydney in the 1990s, which he said, for a young police officer, was a “real eye-opener”.

“It was all happening in Cabramatta in the ’90s,” he said.

“It was a great place to start out, and I worked with some really great people who have influenced my career.”

With four years in the city under his belt, Chief Inspector Flood transferred to northwestern NSW, working in Bourke and Brewarrina which, at the time, was extremely remote.

“I worked with Aboriginal communities out there and learnt a lot about policing in a rural area – it was very rewarding,” he said.

After a three-year stint out west, Chief Inspector Flood returned to Moruya station and later transferred to the Camden Police Area Command where he was promoted to the rank of Inspector and began his role as a Duty Officer.

He returned to the Eurobodalla Shire in 2010 and said there’s no place he’d rather be today.

“When I left, I thought I’d never come back, but I’m glad I did because I love the area and we’ve raised our kids here,” he said.

An active member of Broulee Surf Club, Chief Inspector Flood said he has built a great relationship with other emergency agencies in the region, including the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Ambulance, Marine Rescue NSW and Eurobodalla Shire Council.

It was during events such as the Tathra bushfire and Black Summer bushfires that he forged those connections.

During the 2018 Tathra bushfires, Chief Inspector Flood provided vital assistance in the emergency evacuation of local residents, and support to the combat agency.

He was also recognised for his leadership and professionalism during the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires as the local emergency operations controller on the South Coast.

Chief Inspector Flood coordinated the police response to the Currowan and Clyde Mountain fires, resulting in the management of multiple emergency services, evacuation of town residents, coordination of road closures, and simultaneously dealing with public unrest and looting in the Batemans Bay area.

While the recent fire emergencies were highlighted in his award nomination, Chief Inspector Flood said, like many other emergency service personnel, he’s had a rewarding and very diverse career.

He enjoys being involved in his community, taking part in his kids’ activities, and working closely with the South Coast Aboriginal community.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller congratulated the Australian Police Medal recipients and thanked them for their significant contribution to policing and the community.

“Each officer has served the community with dedication and selflessness over many years,” he said.

“They perform their duties without expectation of awards or recognition, but are richly deserving of this honour.”

Chief Inspector Flood will be presented with his medal by Governor-General David Hurley at an upcoming event.