Sponsored by Maurice J Kerrigan and Associates

The first award announced on the night was the Investigation of the Year, which was proudly sponsored this year by Maurice Kerrigan & Associates. Sponsor representative and member of the judging panel, Mr Francis Kerrigan, was on hand to announce the winner, a submission made by South Australia Police for Operation Echidna. The balance of the judging panel was made up by Ray Carroll of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, and Nigel Carson of KordaMentha. Detective Senior Constable First Class Jason COX, a member of the Operation Echidna team accepted the award on behalf of his team for their investigation of a sophisticated and highly organised network of criminals who were responsible for the theft of over $2m in highly desirable vehicle parts.

As the matter is currently before the courts, full details of the case cannot be published, however the methodical investigative planning and well executed investigative techniques, liaison with multiple stakeholders and using knowledge gained through membership of IAATI, Operation Echidna has resulted in charges of theft, larceny and money laundering to be laid against seven individuals. All the members of Operation Echidna are to be congratulated for their efforts in the detection and prevention of auto crime.

Detective Detective Senior Constable First Class Jason Cox, a member of the Operation Echidna team accepts the Investigation Year award for South Australia Police.