It is a milestone in the career of the woman who was born at the Phillip Creek Mission in the 1950s.

Having started out as a teaching assistant then working as a linguist with respected anthropologist, David Nash, and as a field officer with the Central Land Council, Gwen joined the Northern Territory Police Force in 2001.

She has been based at Ali Curung for the past seven years and was promoted to First Class ACPO three years ago.

Since then Gwen has been studying to complete a Certificate IV in Public Safety, finishing in February this year which paved the way for her promotion.

Usually, ACPOs are only promoted to the senior position after ten years service.

Sergeant Libby Andrew who until recently was officer-in-charge of the Ali Curung Police Station says Gwen has been an outstanding police woman.

“She was dedicated to completing her studies and is thoroughly committed to the police force and the community,” she said.

Gwen has been involved in a number of high profile cases, including the search for Bradley Murdoch following the disappearance of British backpacker, Peter Falconio.

She recalls it as a very scary experience.

“He is a dangerous man that one,” she said.

Gwen was also one of the first on the scene when a three month old baby was killed at Epenarra, a case which made national headlines.

She led a team of trackers and eventually located the offender, the baby’s teenage father, in the scrub about 17 kilometres west of the community.

Gwen says police work is interesting and likes the fact that each day brings new challenges.

And colleagues say she is a valuable member of their team and a good community role model.