Senior Community Constable First Class Gregory Smith (pictured) is better known as Unckie among First Nations communities across the Murray Mallee.
The respected elder, who joined SAPOL in 2003, has been central to strengthening relationships between police and Aboriginal communities across the region.
And now his work has been recognised at the highest level, with Senior Constable Smith named as one of three recipients of Australia Police Medals in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours.
Detective Chief Superintendent Catherine Hilliard, currently serving as Acting Assistant Commissioner, and Sergeant First Class Silvano Dovi were also recognised for their dedication to policing, and along with Senior Constable Smith the trio represents a collective 94 years of service.
In 2017, Senior Constable Smith developed a place‑based First Nations information brochure to support culturally responsive policing, now embedded in the Murray Mallee Region induction package.
In 2022, he led the commissioning of the Ponde artwork to deepen SAPOL’s relationship with the Ngarrindjeri people, with the artwork displayed in all Murray Mallee police stations as a symbol of cultural respect.
That same year, he established the Blue Light Boxing Program, which has delivered positive outcomes for at‑risk First Nations youth and contributed to reduced youth justice involvement.
Recently he introduced the Fitness Health Yarn initiative with Moorundi Health Services and spearheaded the Kuti Camp program, reconnecting First Nations youth with Country while enhancing cultural understanding among police officers.
Last year he reviewed the Community Constable Development Program and delivered locally developed cultural awareness sessions to operational members, strengthening understanding of regional cultural history, sensitivities and the role of Community Constables.
Senior Constable Smith’s work has been recognised by the State First Nations Voice to Parliament as a best‑practice model for regional policing, making a profound contribution to community trust, cultural safety and policing outcomes across South Australia.
Detective Chief Superintendent Hilliard was appointed to Officer rank in 2014 while serving in Police C
ommunications, later transferring to Special Crimes Investigations in 2016.
As Officer in Charge (OC) of the Family and Domestic Violence Section and the Multi‑Agency Protection Service (MAPS) from 2021, Detective Chief Superintendent Hilliard strengthened interagency cooperation to safeguard vulnerable people.
Under her leadership, MAPS has become a benchmark for coordinated risk assessment and response.
Drawing on academic expertise from Cambridge University, where she specialised in child protection, Detective Chief Superintendent Hilliard has led significant improvements in investigative practice, including the Prescribed Interview Room Project which is creating trauma‑informed spaces for victim-survivors of sexual offences.
Sergeant First Class Silvano Dovi joined SAPOL in 1994, commencing in general patrols at Port Adelaide and Henley Beach before dedicating his career to road safety from 1998.
Sergeant Dovi has served as a motorcycle police officer for more than 20 years, providing specialist capability across major events and high‑risk traffic operations.
A long‑standing member of the Tour Down Under (TDU) operational team, Sergeant Dovi has served in almost every event as a Motorcycle Supervisor. His meticulous planning and management of rolling road closures have been instrumental in maintaining the TDU’s reputation among Union Cycliste Internationale officials as one of the safest races in the world.
Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens APM LEM commended the recipients, noting their dedication and leadership across decades of service.
"The Australian Police Medal recognises officers whose work has strengthened our organisation and our state. Each of these recipients has made a significant and lasting contribution to community safety," Commissioner Stevens said.
"Catherine, Silvano and Gregory’s leadership, integrity and commitment to serving the people of South Australia is evident in every stage of their careers. This honour is a fitting acknowledgement of their achievements."
The three officers were among a number of South Australians recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours, including Natasha Stott Despoja, who received the nation’s highest civilian honour in the Companion of the Order of Australia in recognition of her work on the prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence, to gender equity, and to the promotion of human rights.
Ms Stott Despoja was joined on the Companion of the Order of Australia list by mathematician Terence Tao, who grew up in Adelaide before moving to the US in the 1990s.
Often referred to as the Mozart of Math, Professor Tao was recognised for "eminent service to the mathematical sciences, to the global mathematics community, and to tertiary education and academia".
The full King’s Birthday 2026 Honours List can be found here (external site) (external site) (external site).
