Shoalhaven Police Inspector Rob Vergano is a finalist in the NSW Rotary Police Officer Of The Year Awards.
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Inspector Vergano is a finalist in the community award, one of the eight sections to be announced at a special dinner on Friday, November 4 in Sydney, where the overall Police Officer Of The Year will be named.
Inspector Vergano said he was delighted and humbled to be nominated.
“It’s certainly something I didn’t expect,” he said.
Regarded as a respected and approachable professional within his command, Inspector Vergano has a genuine concern for his community.
He was the local facilitator for the NSW Police “Boots for the Homeless” campaign where officers donate their used police boots for distribution to those who need them.
In his spare time, he works as a retained firefighter with NSW Fire and Rescue and teaches local nippers about water safety as a volunteer lifeguard.
In two separate bike rides over almost 1200 kilometres last year, Inspector Vergano also raised thousands of dollars for a children's cancer charity and Police Legacy.
“I just like to do things, particularly for my community, in my spare time,” he said.
“This nomination is great but it’s not what I do things for.”
He said being nominated by Shoalhaven Local Area Commander, Superintendent Steve Hegarty, made it even more special.
Last weekend he completed the 2016 Firefighters Climb, a race up 98 floors of Sydney Tower to raise funds to defeat Motor Neurone Disease.
He completed the climb in 19 minutes, raising $6300 for the cause.
“Motor Neurone Disease is something I have first hand experience of. My wife’s cousin suffers from the disease, so it was personal for me,” he said.
“To be able to do something to support that was fantastic.”
Obviously passionate about the cause, he is already planning and started fundraising for next year’s event.
He also completed a charity ride from Wollongong to Goulburn raising $4000 for kids cancer and a further $1000 for riding from the Police Remembrance Wall in the Domain to Canberra for Police Legacy.
He also helps out at his children’s school with the reading program and in the canteen.
“I like to be involved in what my family is doing and help my community,” he said.
It could be a case of double success for the Shoalhaven LAC. Last year Senior Constable Mick Roberts won the same award for his off-duty work within the community.