The senior police officer was this month awarded an Australian Police Medal for his service across metropolitan and country districts since 1985.
Insp DeSanges has served on the Undercover Policing Unit, Warwick and Perth detective offices, Serious and Organised Crime Division, Major Crime Squad and Gold Stealing Detection Unit in Kalgoorlie.
The father-of-two said he became an officer at the age of 21, wanting to do something substantial and meaningful in the community.
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READ NOW‘I hate bullies, the strong picking on the weak, so I thought I’d do something about it,’ he said.
Insp DeSanges’ first run-in with bullies as a police officer was at his first posting at the then East Perth Lock-up (now Perth Watch House) dealing with people detained for crimes including callous murderers and hardened criminals.
‘But the years spent within the State Intelligence Division and Gold Stealing Detection Unit are easily my most enjoyable,’ he said.
‘In 2001 I was fortunate to have been selected to travel to Fiji and lead a team of investigators, inclusive of local Fijian detectives in a multi-million dollar gold stealing investi- gation across the mainland of Viti Levu.
‘After a lot of hard work, over a relatively short period of time, we successfully apprehended and charged two Fijian nationals with this crime.’
The 49-year-old continues to lead and mentor young officers, to set and maintain work ethics expected of the force.