Agency. In Australia, police officer of Nepali origin Vikas Bharti has received the prestigious ‘National Bravery Award’ for his exceptional courage during the shootout.
New South Wales (NSW) Police Senior Constable Bharti was awarded the 2026 National Gallantry Award by the Police Federation of Australia at a special ceremony held in Canberra on Wednesday night.
Bharti, who works at Burwood Police Area Command, was among the first police teams to arrive at the scene of the shooting in Croydon Park on October 5, 2025 last year.
When the shooting was going on, he sent a junior colleague to a safe place, risking his own life. In addition, he assisted in the rescue and treatment of a civilian who was injured by bullets. In recognition of his bravery, he was awarded a national level gallantry award.
After accepting the award, Bharti said that it was a matter of pride for him to receive such an honor from the Australian Police Association. He mentioned that when he came to Australia from his native Nepal in 2015, he did not even imagine receiving such an honor.
He said that even though the award is in his name, police service is not possible with individual efforts alone. He said that the courage he showed was possible because of his colleagues, training and trust, and he wanted to share the honor with his police colleagues who were working with him on the night of the incident.
Mentioning that it was a privilege to serve the country and community that welcomed him and gave him the opportunity to serve, he said that he felt proud to wear the police uniform.
Speaking at the ceremony, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said Bharti represented the best image of the police service. He said the bravery he showed during the dangerous incident at Croydon Park, regardless of his own safety, was commendable.
Commissioner Lanyon said that Bharti’s oath to protect and serve the people has been proven in practice.
The award was jointly presented to Senior Constable Bharti and the Queensland Police Service at the ceremony.