Accomplished police officers honoured with medals

Chief Superintendent Scott Allison, Senior Sergeant Heidi Baldwin, and Senior Sergeant First Class Richard Errington are recognised for their work across a range of operational fields.

On behalf of SAPOL, Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens APM LEM offered his congratulations to all recipients and noted their contribution to South Australian policing.

“Scott, Heidi, and Richard all demonstrate admirable leadership qualities and I commend them on receiving the Australian Police Medal,” he said.

“For more than 30 years they have each given exemplary service to not only South Australia Police, but the wider community.

“The dedication and professionalism of these officers serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for all of our members.”

Chief Superintendent Scott Allison

Joining SAPOL in 1989, Chief Superintendent Scott Allison initially worked in Glenelg patrols before undertaking the Detective Training Course in 1997 – leading to several Detective positions across the state.

In 2002, he was promoted to Sergeant at the Executive Support Section, and then Inspector in 2006 where he worked on the DNA implementation project which laid the foundation for the current legislative requirements within the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Act. He was subsequently posted to the State Intelligence Branch where he led the team for the first criminal organisation declaration under the Serious and Organised Crime Control Act.

Promoted to Chief Inspector, Chief Superintendent Allison was posted to the Information, Systems and Technology (IS&T) Service as the Business Change Manager, displaying significant leadership in leading IS&T into a new era of service delivery.

In 2015, Scott was promoted to Superintendent, and in 2019 he helped define the concept and business case of what has become the Mobile Workforce Program.

Chief Superintendent Allison also played a key role in the development of significant IT initiatives in support of SAPOL’s workforce during the Covid-19 pandemic, including a scalable work-from-home solution. These actions, and his contributions to driving innovation for SAPOL, led to his promotion to Chief Superintendent in mid-2020.

Since 2008, he has also made a valuable contribution to the Special Olympics as a board member of the Law Enforcement Torch Run of South Australia.

Senior Sergeant Heidi Baldwin

After joining SAPOL in 1990, Senior Sergeant Heidi Baldwin began her service performing general patrols in Adelaide, followed by a stint at Mounted Operations Unit.

In 2005, she transferred to a metropolitan Field Intelligence position, igniting an unwavering passion and commitment in the discipline of intelligence. She was promoted to Sergeant in 2012 and shortly thereafter, was seconded to an organisational reform project involving police records management systems.

Senior Sergeant Baldwin was integral in the transition of intelligence systems, processes, and records to a new records management program, improving frontline access to information and warnings and enhancing officer safety during incidents, operations, and investigations.

In 2015, she returned to intelligence operations within the State Protective Security Branch and was promoted to Senior Sergeant in 2019. She has worked collaboratively across law enforcement agencies to counter terrorism and violent extremism, developing a cadre of intelligence officers and analysts in support of the national and state counter terrorism strategies and plans.

Senior Sergeant Baldwin is highly regarded by colleagues and partner agencies for her leadership, agility, and ability to form partnerships and operationalise strategic intelligence objectives to mitigate risks of terrorism and violent extremism to the community. She engenders practitioner confidence in the operational and training environment and has positively contributed to SAPOL and the community for more than 33 years.

Senior Sergeant First Class Richard Errington

Senior Sergeant First Class (SS1C) Richard Errington joined South Australia Police (SAPOL) in 1990, commencing his career at Christies Beach general patrols.

He then served in country postings at Aldinga, relieving small stations at Willunga and McLaren Vale, before transferring to Port Wakefield in 1998. In 2001, he moved to Port Lincoln where he was promoted to Senior General Duties member in 2002, and in 2005, he received a commendation for his response to the Wangary bushfire on the lower Eyre Peninsula. In 2008, he was promoted to Sergeant as a General Duties Supervisor at Port Augusta and three years later transferred to Millicent.

Throughout his career, Richard has an extensive history of country postings. In each town, he has built strong community ties, directly benefiting the role police play in community policing. In 2018, he was promoted to Senior Sergeant at Millicent Police Station, where he continues to provide strong leadership within the country regions. Richard has demonstrated exceptional leadership during emergency management incidents in the Limestone Coast area, consistently performing at an outstanding level even under challenging situations.

SS1C Errington continues to display resilience and leads by example, incorporating his lived experience into his management style. He also plays a significant role in the community as a long-standing committee member of the Wattle Range Suicide Prevention Network, member of Millicent Men’s Shed, coaches local sport, and is involved with the Beachport Surf Lifesaving Club.

He is an accomplished and respected police manager held in high regard for his leadership and dedication to road safety, crime prevention and the enhancement of community collaboration.