Deserved recognition for Mt Barker officer-in-charge Sergeant Dave Johnson

Sergeant Dave Johnson’s excellent work in the Mt Barker community has been recognised with a certificate of outstanding performance from WA Police.

Sgt Johnson, the officer-in-charge in Mt Barker, was heavily involved with the establishment of the Mt Barker Aboriginal Community Centre which will officially open in the coming weeks.

He was also instrumental in organising the town’s inaugural Mountains and Murals Festival.

WA Police Regional Commander Alan Morton presented the certificate to him on June 4.

Sgt Johnson said he was humbled by the recognition.

He said engaging with his community had been a priority since he arrived in 2018.

“It is wonderful to be recognised by your peers and bosses,” Sgt Johnson said.

“But you never do it for these awards — it’s about community engagement and you do it to immerse yourself in your community.

“The Aboriginal centre was derelict and rundown so I saw an opportunity to partner with Pardelup Prison Farm and fully renovate it so it can be used on a daily basis.

“Mountains and Murals is an opportunity to engage the whole community and some of that artwork has been really significant for our Aboriginal community.”

This year’s festival was set to be held in November but Sgt Johnson said it had been pushed back to January.

He said the official opening of the Aboriginal Community Centre was likely to happen in the next three weeks.

In January, Sgt Johnson was one of four WA recipients of the Australian Police Medal in the Australia Day Honours list.