JUSTIN Williams always wanted to be a cop. His old man was a detective and he wanted to follow suit.
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The son of Forbes’ Geoff and Deanna Williams, captain of Red Bend Catholic College in 2000, has now been recognised for his excellence in his career.
Knowing the demands of the job, his dad insisted he train in another profession first, which he did, but ultimately the desire to serve the community won through.
While the demands of the job are big, and often come with high personal cost, for Justin, the chance to help the vulnerable is why he’s here, and also the reason he has been awarded the Paul Quinn Memorial Award for 2018.
Sgt Paul Quinn, fatally wounded in the line of duty 32 years ago, epitomised everything a police officer should be: courageous, compassionate and devoted to duty.
His legacy lives on, with the Paul Quinn Memorial Award, named in his honour, presented to the command’s most outstanding officer each year.
Chifley Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Luke Rankin said Detective Sen Const Williams was a fitting recipient for the police district’s top honour.
“Detective Senior Constable Williams embodies the characteristics that the award recognises - dedication, commitment and excellence.
“Although modest and quietly spoken he is a determined and tenacious investigator who has been closely involved in many of the most serious investigations undertaken at Chifley in the past few years.”
He said Sen Const Williams is team orientated and respected universally by both his peers in the detectives office and throughout the district generally.
“Through his approach Justin contributes strongly to the results achieved by the detectives office and the morale of the team. He demonstrates strong leadership qualities and potential for future promotion in the NSW Police Force.”
Justin said the honour was very unexpected, and when his name was read out he was completely overwhelmed.
“I had absolutely no idea, I was so shocked but proud and honoured."
“I actually nominated other people who I felt are more worthy of the award, I never thought for a moment it would be me," he said.
Justin joined the police force back in 2007, stationed at Burwood, where he rose through to the ranks to detective.
He transferred to Bathurst in April 2013, where he has continued as a detective and worked on some of the biggest cases in the command including attempted murders and predators grooming young children online.
He said he always wanted to be a police officer.
"It was something I always thought about, my old man was a detective but he wanted me do something else first, so I became a primary school teacher," he said.
He ended up at a behavioral school in Mount Druitt with troubled kids, where he remained until following his instincts which led him to policing.
Det Sen Const Williams said what he finds most rewarding about his job is being able to help people, in particular those who can't help themselves.
He doesn’t like the cliche, but really it’s all about making a difference, and serving the community, just like Sgt Quinn did.
And while a new generation of police have come through the station since Sgt Quinn's death, Det Sen Const Williams said the sacrifice of the young police officer is not forgotten, nor will it ever be.
"It's something that is always with us," he said.
Speaking of his colleagues, Justin said one of the best things about the job is the camaraderie they share.
“We have a fantastic office, we really do,” he said, adding the district is lucky to have such dedicated police.
“There are many there who are equally deserving of this award.”