TOP COP: Retired detective chief inspector Brad Tayler is pictured in 2004 while in charge of a police operational support group search at Awaba. Picture: Liam Driver
THE local police officer who arrested disgraced former Aboriginal affairs minister Milton Orkopoulos over child sex allegations in 2006 was among eight NSW police officers on Thursday to receive the Australian Police Medal for dedicated service to the force.
Retired detective chief inspector Brad Tayler was the crime manager for Lake Macquarie and Newcastle City local area commands before leaving the police force in November, 2011.
He arrested Orkopoulos at his Belmont North home following months of a secretive investigation into the former Swansea MP.
Orkopoulos was later sentenced to a maximum of 13 years in jail.
The presiding judge commended police for their competent and diligent investigation, as did the police minister.
Throughout the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Tayler was required to administer and conduct every aspect of the investigation while overseeing the day-to-day crime management at the busy Lake Macquarie local area command.
He also oversaw the conviction of Daniel James Davies for the murder of Damien Meredith near Swansea.
And he headed the investigation which led to the capture of serial fraudster Trevor Fing for stealing more than $1 million in superannuation funds.
Detective chief inspector Tayler had also been awarded the Commissioner's Certificate of Merit and the NSW State Government Service Medal in recognition of his outstanding qualities.
Mr Tayler joined the NSW Police Force in 1984 and was attested as a probationary constable in 1984, initially stationed at the Chatswood Police Station.
He was promoted to Chief Inspector at Lake Macquarie Local Area Command in 2004.
He performed general and highway patrol duties with distinction at several police stations, including Toronto.
