On Tuesday 24 July the Assistant    Commissioner, North Coast Region – Mr  Graham Rynders presented Medals and other service awards to Police Officers in the Bundaberg District at a ceremony at the  Bundaberg PCYC.

I was proud to be the recipient of the: 

National Medal (awarded to officers who have served diligently as a member of the Qld Police Service for a period of 15 years)

 15 year Clasp to the Qld Police Service Medal (awarded to all members of the Service for diligent and ethical service for a period of 10 years)

Assistant Commissioner’s Certificate (Operational) – citation reads

‘Detective Senior Constable David Batt (now Sergeant) is awarded the Assistant Commissioner’s Certificate (Operational) for professionalism, a high level of intelligence, resourcefulness and dedication in the protracted and complex murder investigation into the death of Caroline Stuttle, resulting in the arrest and conviction of a male offender for Ms Stuttle’s murder.’

Background information attached to the award states:

On 11 April 2002 the body of Ms Caroline Anne Stuttle, a citizen of the United Kingdom, was located under the Burnett River Traffic Bridge, North Bundaberg. A protracted investigation was commenced and continued for 10 months. There was intensive international media, political and public interest in the case and intensive liaison was required with British police authorities.

The principal investigators responsible for the investigation were Detective Senior Sergeant Terrance Borland, Detective Senior Constable Russell Williams and Detective Senior Constable David Batt, of Bundaberg District Criminal Investigation Branch and Detective Senior Sergeant Terence Lawrence of Homicide Investigation Group, State Crime Operations Command.

The lengthy investigation which was conducted in a competent and professional manner resulted in the arrest of Ian Douglas Previte for the murder of Ms Stuttle. Following trial during which the actions of the investigators were challenged at every stage and an appeal, Previte was subsequently convicted on this charge. The trial required coordination of in excess of 100 witnesses from Australia and overseas. The conduct of the police investigation withstood extensive scrutiny reflecting great credit on all concerned.