The drivers have been hit with heavy fines of $1300 each and lost nine points from their licence.

Orange police have specially installed devices in each vehicle which emit a loud signal when a vehicle is approaching with an illegally installed detector.

Police say the illegal devices have been imported by either being purchased over the internet or obtained overseas and brought in to the country in luggage.

Senior Constable Wes Bush said when drivers were caught they realised they would have to pay a heavy fine.

“But they get a real shock when they find out they lose nine points off their licence,” he said. “They only need to have had one speeding fine added to that and their licence is gone.”

Police say the standard navigation GPS systems which can be purchased in retail outlets do not pose a problem as they only have a facility for detecting fixed cameras.

The illegal devices which have been confiscated in the last few weeks are small enough to fit in the palm of the hand and plug into a cigarette lighter.

Snr Const Bush said many drivers were also unaware that it is illegal to be caught buying or storing a detector in a vehicle.

Drivers on the radar | Central Western Daily | Orange, NSW

Emily Watson, a year 12 student at Orange High School, was on hand at the Orange Agriculture Institute to accept the CLAC certificate of appreciation on behalf of her father Peter Watson, who provided valuable assistance to ambulance officers at an incident on Huntley Road last year.

Mr Watson stopped on the side of the road to assist ambulance officers subdue an unruly patient, enabling them to call for further assistance and helping to resolve a volatile situation in the process.

Miss Watson, who was also present at the incident, said she was proud to be accepting such an award on her father’s behalf.

“I am proud, he couldn’t be here today and I saw what happened. He told me to stay in the car, but I didn’t,” she laughed.

“The ambulance officers were wrestling with a patient, about 100 metres away from their van. One of the ambulance officers was hit by the patient, and they couldn’t leave him to call for assistance.

“Dad helped them so they could call for assistance. It was a pretty scary situation, a lot of people wouldn’t have stopped, so I’m very proud of him for doing that.”

Officers from around the region received medals for long service, clasps, certificates of merit and commendations during the ceremony, and CLAC Superintendent Shane Cribb was on hand for the presentation.

“These awards are very important,” he said. “Our police work 24 hours a day putting their lives at risk, and it’s very important we recognise their achievements and their years of service.

“It’s a very demanding profession, and 10 years in one profession is a long time in this kind of occupation. We saw here, there was people getting recognised for 25 and 30 years’ service.

“It’s tough to work in one profession for 30 years at all, let alone one so demanding. We’re incredibly grateful for their efforts, and it’s important for the community to see the kind of effort they go to as well.

“The public often doesn’t see what happens when the police are out protecting them, looking after them and making sure their safe.

“I’m incredibly proud to be a part of it, it’s fantastic.”

State Crime Command – Commanders Commendation: Sergeant Brenden Casey.

Chifley Local Area Command – Certificate of Appreciation: Sergeant Colin Sheil.

Canobolas Local Area Command – Certificate of Appreciation: Peter Watson.

Certificate of Service: Former sergeant Garry Sheils, former sergeant Terry Johns.

National Service Medal: Sergeant Glenn Griffith, Sergeant Phil Cleathero, Detective Sergeant Andrew McLean, Sergeant Michael Sullivan, Sergeant Colin Sheil, Senior Constable John Newton, Senior Constable Greg Treavors, Leading Senior Constable Grant Terry, former inspector Greg Pringle, former sergeant Gary Shiels, former sergeant Terry Johns.

National Medal: Sergeant Rolf Vogelsang, Senior Constable Therese Miller, Detective Senior Constable Leisa Shorrocks.

National Medal 1st clasp – 25 years: Sergeant Glenn Griffith, Sergeant Phil Cleathero, Senior Constable Greg Treavors, Leading Senior Constable Grant Terry, former sergeant Terry Johns.

NSW Police Medal – 10 years’ service: Senior Constable Adam Cornish, Senior Constable Leon Corcoran, Leading Senior Constable Wesley Bush, Senior Constable Lames Carters.

NSW Police Medal clasp – 15 years’ service: Sergeant Rolf Vogelsang, Senior Constable Therese Miller, Detective Senior Constable Leisa Shorrocks.

NSW Police Medal clasp – 25 years’ service: Sergeant Glenn Griffith, Sergeant Phil Cleathero, Senior Constable Greg Treavors, Leading Senior Constable Grant Terry, former sergeant Terry Johns.

NSW Police Medal clasp – 30 years’ service: Senior Constable John Newton, former sergeant Gary Shiels.

Certificate of Appointment:  Sergeant Colin Sheil.

Region Certificate of Merit: Former sergeant Terry Johns.