New South Wales assistant police commissioner Lee Shearer was on hand to present medals and awards to police and civilians at the city council chambers.

Fifteen awards were presented to members from the NSW Police Force, five to officers attending the Rainbow Flat accident where a vehicle was submerged in a dam and a distressed father and two other family members escaped but two others were trapped inside.

The accident occurred on April 5, 2007. Officers had to refrain the two male family members from entering the dam while other police dived into the dark water to attempt to rescue those trapped.

The officers awarded for their courage, compassion and commitment to duty in relation to this incident were Constable Adam Dangel, former Leading Senior Constable Rochelle Gordon, Detective Senior Constable Glenn Williams, Constable Bradley Barry and Senior Constable Jamie Oliver.

Also recognised for separate life saving rescue efforts were three civilians.

Mary Radavich and Alan Gooding gave CPR to Mr Gooding's partner before off-duty Senior Constable David Abbott arrived to assist, prior to an ambulance arriving.

Ms Radavich said she was leaving a yoga class in Wingham when she saw Mr Gooding parked in his car at the side of the road with his unconscious partner. Ms Radavich told Mr Gooding to pull the woman from the car so she could give her CPR while his son-in-law went for help.

Another civilian recognised was Robert Hicks. He was returning from a diving trip with boat driver Nick Heiniger when they saw some teenagers waving from rocks near Bennetts Head lookout at Forster. With virtually no communication they instinctively headed to the site.

Mr Hicks dived into the water in his wetsuit, fins and mask and rescued a teenager who had slipped from the rocks. Mr Hicks kept the teenager from falling unconscious by talking to him and conducting neural eye tests until the ambulance crew arrived.

Mr Hicks said it was just timing. But the ambulance crew said the boy had no oxygen reading by the time they arrived.

Assistant police commissioner Lee Shearer congratulated the civilians for contributing to the goodwill of the community. She said many people don't want to embroil themselves in others’ problems or help others out.

She also thanked the wives and family of the New South Wales Police Force members for their support and recognition for what is a challenging job.