Canberra, Australia, October 30, 2026 — Bikash Bharti, a senior constable of Nepali origin serving in the Australian police, has received a prestigious national bravery award for his courage during a shooting incident in Sydney last year.
The Australian Police Federation presented the award to Bharti at a ceremony in Canberra on Wednesday. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also praised his bravery and dedication during Question Time in the federal Parliament.
Bharti, who serves with the Burwood Police Area Command under the New South Wales (NSW) Police Force, was honoured for his actions during a public shooting in Croydon Park on October 5, 2025.
He was among the first police officers to arrive at the scene. Despite being under fire and facing serious danger, Bharti directed a junior colleague to move to safety and helped rescue an injured member of the public.
Accepting the award, Bharti said the recognition was something he had never expected. He moved to Australia from Nepal in 2015.
“Being recognised in this way is a matter of pride for me, something I never imagined when I came to this country,” he said.
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Bharti emphasised that police work was never an individual effort. He credited the support, training and trust of the colleagues who were with him during the incident, saying he wanted to share the recognition with the entire team.
“I feel fortunate to serve the country and community that welcomed me and gave me the opportunity to contribute,” he said.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon also praised Bharti's actions, describing his courage during the dangerous incident in Croydon Park as exceptional.
“Senior Constable Bharti's bravery and actions have upheld the oath to protect and serve the public,” Commissioner Lanyon said.