Acting Officer in Charge of Young Police Station, A/Inspector Mark Lake has been recognised by Southern Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Joseph Cassar for his dedication and work with the local community.

The Southern Region Commander presented a very surprised Acting Inspector during a presentation in Goulburn earlier this month with the Crime, Community and Our People award for the Southern Region.

Det Insp Lake has been congratulated by his Hume Police District colleagues for his recognition.

"We congratulate Mr Lake for the way he supports and represents the community, by his commitment to them," the Hume Police District said.

Det Insp Lake was very surprised by the award and said he was very humbled by the recognition.

Acting Insp Lake has been working at the Young Police Station for the past seven years where he has been the head of the Detective’s Unit and prior to that was 5 years at Cootamundra.

"I was very surprised to receive this award," he said.

"Upon being presented the award by Assistant Commissioner Cassar. A/Inspector Lake said, I was very proud and honoured to be recognised and receive the award for commitment and dedication to the job."

The award is presented once a year to an officer in the Southern Region that spans from Wollongong to past Deniliquin and from Crookwell and Goulburn all the way to Albury, it includes the Lake Illawarra District, Monaro Police District, Murray River Police District, Murrumbidgee Police District, Riverina Police District, South Coast Police District, Wollongong Police District and the Region deciding who receives the award.

"When this award was explained by Assistant Commissioner Cassar.

I was nominated for my commitment and dedication of the job, being a good leader and playing a significant role in ensuring the welfare and positive culture for Young and the district in the Hume PD," "I'm honoured to receive this award, Mr Lake said.

Acting Insp Lake was also nominated for his dedication and support to his staff in the field as well as a number of criminal investigations he's completed throughout the years, as well as being supportive and a good role model, not only to his fellow officers, but to members of the community, however, according to Acting Insp Lake, he's just doing what he needs to in a job that he is passionate about with a fantastic group of staff.

"At the end of the day, I've been turning up to work for 23 years and spent the majority of my time as a detective," he said.

"I am the team leader of the Young Detectives when I am not relieving in other positions. I have a small and outstanding team of investigators who I work with day in and day out, on top of this Young Police Station have a great bunch of staff and that's what makes this job so enjoyable to come to work and work with a bunch of dedicated and young officers."

A/ Insp Lake said it was extremely nice to be recognised in front of his Hume Police District colleagues, however, that isn't what the job is all about.

"But, I'm just like any other police officer," he said.

"I turn up to work, do our best to respond to the community needs and protect the community."

Det Insp Lake believes the job in itself is a reward.

"The job over the years has been very rewarding and that can be just by helping someone out in the street, protecting people from being harmed, or getting a good outcome or result for the victims of crime," he said.

Though he sees the positive side of his position, there is also an unpleasant side that all officers come face to face with throughout their careers.

"Over the years I have attended several traumatic incidents and we as a team of officers are usually first on scene to all these types of jobs," he said.

"We're the ones that are there supporting the victims, families, through the process and court process and on top of this we also have to look after our staff members as we're a small group of officers in the town of Young, doing our best for the community so everyone remains safe."

Through all of the ups and downs A/Insp Lake is very glad that he followed the advice of his Dad to do what you love that led him to his career.

"I've got a strong passion for investigating crime and working with the community," he said.

"I joined the job 23 years ago and spent 13 years of that time in the Hilltops and Riverina region and I've currently been the team leader at Young detectives in the Hume Police District for the last seven years and did 10 years in the city prior."

Many locals may recognise A/Insp Lake from throughout his time at the Young station as he has been given the opportunity to relieve as the Officer in Charge of the Young Police Station.