Detective Sergeant Robert Henley’s relentless passion for justice is clear when he describes the work that went into smashing a cockfighting ring in Rockbank.
“It was the best I’ve felt in a long time – it all came together so well,” he says of the 2012 operation, which has earned him a divisional commendation from Victoria Police.
Detective Sergeant Henley, 53, has worked with Melton police for eight years.
RELATED: Birds killed after Rockbank raid
RELATED: 21 fined over cockfighting
He received the award last Thursday for leading the operation, which resulted in the arrest of 76 people and the seizure of more than $207,000 in cash.
“I pulled it together in five working days and seven night shifts, so it was pretty hard stuff. We were all under the pump,” he says.
The operation was launched after police received information there was a cockfighting ring operating in the back blocks of Rockbank, less than a kilometre from homes.
Planning the operation for September 7 took a mix of resourcefulness and wit.
“I devised a two-pronged attack, where the RSPCA could go in and execute warrants to charge attendees for supporting an inhumane event, but also we could go in and seize illegal gambling money,” he said.
“The beauty of it is that people got in trouble for being there, and also lost the money they gambled. So it’s a great deterrent.” On the day of the raid, Sergeant Henley had a team of 45 police members ready.
“Cops are a bit soft when it comes to animals, so lots of police were willing to be part of it,” he said.
“When we first arrived at the compound about 20 or 30 people fled – but with the police numbers we had we were able to round them up.
“Police work is not just about locking up the bad guys, it’s about getting help and justice for the victims.”
Superintendent Glenn Weir presented 53 awards to Melton and Brimbank police members at Caroline Springs police station, recognising officers for length of service, dedication and abilities.
Leading Senior Constable Luke Bristow received the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal for his work in Christchurch, New Zealand, after the devastating earthquake in February 2011 that killed 181 people.
