Glen Waverley’s top cop Senior Constable Shane Loynes is an officer for the people.
“I grew up wanting to do something that was meaningful not only to myself, but others also,” he said.
“Something that would help people who needed it most was the main thing.”
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While a broken wrist stopped Snr Const Loynes from fulfilling this ambition when he was 18, nearly a decade on his commitment to serving the community has been recognised.
His outstanding work ethic, integrity, professionalism, initiative, leadership, teamwork, and community engagement have earnt him the title of ‘Glen Waverley Police Member of the Year’.
Described by his colleagues as ‘personable’ and ‘fun-loving’, Snr Const Loynes was humbled to receive the award sponsored by Ryman Healthcare.
“I’m very grateful and honoured to receive this award,” he said.
“When I started at Glen Waverley, I knew the members who previously won the award, and I looked to them directly as people I wanted to base my policing career off.”
Last year Senior Constable Aron Hayhurst, a self-described “modest person” received the top recognition, and in 2021 Senior Constable Marc Burley’s passion for community policing was celebrated.
“Their ability to work non-stop for the community is impeccable and taking little bits of their work ethic and adapting it to suit my approach has helped me to get where I am,” Snr Const Loynes said.
His “selfless” parents and supportive wife had not only backed him every step of the way, but also inspired a six-month secondment to the Family Violence Unit.
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(From left) Glen Waverley Police Station Senior Sergeant Greg Dean APM, Senior Constable Shane Loynes and Ryman Healthcare Victorian Sales and Community Relations Manager Debra Richardson.
“I’ve got a very strong support circle, my mother and father are the best and most supportive and selfless parents I could ever ask for and I've got my lovely wife who's been with me through the whole process,” he said.
“Knowing that other people don’t have that drove me to want to help people to achieve that.”
In the role Snr Const Loynes works with high-risk family violence offenders and affected family members.
He said the ability to build rapport with affected family members was crucial to encourage the reporting of incidents of violence.
“If we can put those risk management strategies in place and provide the affected family member with the confidence to come forward it’s going to hopefully get them out of that cycle of abuse,” he said.
Unsurprisingly, Snr Const Loyne’s consideration of vulnerable members of the community also includes an awareness of the impact emergency work can have on fellow responders.
As part of the Ryman Healthcare Station Commanders Award, he was given $1000 to donate to a charity of his choice.
Snr Const Loynes choose the Code 9 Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which provides mental health support and other assistance to Victoria Police and other emergency service workers including ambulance, fire, and Triple Zero (000) call takers.
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(From left) Victoria Police member and Code 9 Foundation founder Detective Sergeant Mark Thomas, Snr Sgt Greg Dean APM, Snr Const Shane Loynes and Debra Richardson.
“Being part of the emergency services I go to all sorts of horrific scenes,” He said.
“I'm lucky enough to have my family and my wife who are an amazing support network, but unfortunately not everyone has that,” he said.
Victoria Police member and Code 9 Foundation founder Detective Sergeant Mark Thomas knows firsthand why support for emergency service workers is crucial.
“I was hospitalised over 10 years ago now and diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety,” he said.
The funds would contribute to the provision of mental health referrals, crisis accommodation and the sponsorship of assistance dogs.
“This is going to make a big difference, and it’s going to put smiles on faces,” he said.
