Friday evening 1 November 2024 saw well known figure Gandhi Sindyan, a seasoned Community Liaison Officer with the NSW Police, honoured with the prestigious Rotary Police Officer of the Year Award (unsworn category), known as the Irene Juergens Fellowship Award.
The I J (Irene Juergens APM) Fellowship Award recognises outstanding individual contributions to community-based policing and acknowledges those who demonstrate a personal commitment to engagement and crime prevention above and beyond their job requirements.
This recognition celebrates Mr Sindyan’s 25 years of dedicated service at the Campsie Police Area Command, where he has tirelessly worked to foster connections between the Police and the diverse communities they serve.
Gandhi began his career in 1999, a time when relationships between the Police and local communities were fragmented.
Worthy winner…..Gandhi Sindyan.
Over the years, he has been instrumental in helping to change these dynamics.
Reflecting on his journey, Gandhi shared his passion for his role, commenting, “To effectively police a community, you have to know the community you are policing.”
His commitment to this principle has been the foundation of his success, earning him widespread respect and admiration.
When Gandhi started out in this role, there was no social media, and building relationships required face-to-face engagement.
“You had to be out there to connect,” he recalls. These personal connections proved invaluable, creating lasting bonds that continue to thrive.
Today, despite the shift to a more virtual world, Gandhi remains a steadfast advocate for personal interaction, which he sees as the cornerstone of effective community policing.
Gandhi credits his success to the support and collaboration of colleagues and community leaders, naming figures like Ali Faraj, Bilal El-Hayek, Amer Yassine and Mo Yatim among those who have stood by him.
Similarly, he acknowledges the police officers who have shared his vision of community engagement, particularly during challenging times such as the Cronulla riots (December, 2005).
“For the first time, you not only saw police wanting to protect the community, but the community wanting to protect police,” he reflects.
This pivotal moment laid the groundwork for the strong relationships that exist today.
Gandhi (second from right) with other major award winners and nominees.
“Back when I started, there was barely a relationship between Police and Community, unlike these days where it takes hours for me to walk down Haldon Street, Lakemba, as almost everyone wants to talk and say hello and welcome you and feed you,” he says.
Another example of how the local police and the community engaged positively during tough times was following the Christchurch Mosques massacre of March, 2019.
Commenting on social media, NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib, said: “Congratulations to my friend Gandhi Sindyan from Campsie Police Area Command (on winning) the Rotary Police Officer (unsworn category) of the Year Award.”
One of the hallmarks of Gandhi’s service has been his work with Australia’s Lebanese Muslim community, including a host of initiatives with the nation’s oldest non-profit Islamic organisation, the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA).
The LMA expressed their congratulations on Mr Sindyan’s award, highlighting his decades of partnership and dedication.
“Gandhi has been a vital partner to the LMA and a dedicated presence at countless (LMA) events, making him an invaluable member of the Australian Lebanese Muslim community,” the Association said in a statement.
Over the years, Gandhi has also been at the forefront of unique initiatives.
Campsie Police Station became the first command to host Ramadan iftars, an event supported by Human Appeal Australia, fostering a spirit of unity and respect.
For the past 25 years, he has worked tirelessly every Eid outside Lakemba Mosque, further strengthening the bonds between police and community.
And Mr Sindyan’s work extends far beyond his professional obligations.
His belief in helping people of all races and faiths has guided him throughout his career, earning him the admiration of diverse communities.
He emphasises that his success is not his alone but is shared with the “amazing (police) officers of all ranks” and the community members who have supported him.
Mr Sindyan singled out his colleague, Sina, who is of Samoan heritage, for special mention.
In accepting this sought-after award, Gandhi expressed gratitude to his family, his colleagues and the community for their unwavering support.
“I am only as good as the people around me,” he points out, adding that his brother, also a police officer, has been a source of pride and inspiration.
Gandhi Sindyan’s story is one of dedication, compassion and a deep belief in the power of connection.
His work has left an indelible mark on the Campsie community and surrounding suburbs and he is a thoroughly deserving winner of this prestigious award.
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