Superintendent Mark Sweeney, the Commander of the Crime Scene Services branch, has been recognised as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Superintendent Sweeney, who formerly worked at the police forensic laboratory at Westmead, was awarded an Australian Police Medal today.
He joined the NSW Police Force in 1981 and became a probationary constable later that year.
He has worked in crime scene units at Parramatta, East Sydney and North West.
In 2002 he was promoted to the rank of inspector at Westmead Laboratory where he worked until promoted to the rank of superintendent as the commander of the Crime Scene Services Branch in 2006.
Superintendent Sweeney was awarded the National Medal in 1997; 1st clasp to the National Medal in 2007 and the NSW Police Medal in 2003 (including 3rd clasp to the NSW Police Medal in 2009).
He was also awarded the Commissioner’s Commendation for Courage in 1983 for outstanding courage and devotion to duty following the pursuit and arrest of armed offenders in January 1982.
During his 30 years of service Superintendent Sweeney has been involved in many high-profile crime scenes and major disasters, including the Thredbo landslide and the Clybucca tourist bus disaster.
He also assisted in the Port Arthur Massacre investigation .
In 2010, Superintendent Sweeney was appointed Chair of the Australian Disaster Victim Identification Committee (ADVIC).
He also holds the position of State DVI Commander and represents Australasia on the Interpol DVI Steering Committee.
He is a key adviser to the NSW Police Force executive on matters of forensic procedures.