NSW Police Detective Inspector Amy Scott has received international recognition for her bravery during the fatal 2024 Bondi Junction stabbing attack.
Scott was presented with a Bravery Award from the International Association of Women Police at a ceremony in Bali on Sunday.
She was among eight officers from around the world recognised as examples of “the very best in law enforcement” for their bravery, professionalism and dedication.
Scott shot dead 40-year-old Joel Cauchi on April 13, 2024, after he carried out a stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction.
Six people were fatally stabbed and several others were injured.
CCTV footage captured the moment Scott drew her firearm and pointed it at Cauchi from just 6.5m away as he ran towards her with a knife.
Giving evidence at the NSW Coroners Court in 2025, Scott said she “actually felt nauseous” as she ran into the shopping centre to confront him.
“Because in my head, I resigned myself to the fact I was probably going to die,” Scott said.
As the first police officer on the scene, she found crowds of panicked shoppers streaming out of the complex in eastern Sydney, some imploring her to help.
“People started saying to me... ‘he’s killing people, you’ve got to help us, please get in there’,” she said.
“It changed my response immediately. I considered it to be an active armed offender and I also knew that I couldn’t wait any more for my colleagues to arrive — I just had to go in.”
Lives were saved because of her bravery.
Receiving the international award on Sunday, Scott described the recognition as an “incredible honour”.
“While I am deeply grateful for this recognition, I know that bravery is never an individual achievement,” Scott said.
“I am fortunate to work alongside a team who support, challenge and inspire me every day.
“Their dedication, courage and commitment make a lasting difference.
“I am immensely proud of my team and grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside such remarkable people.”
The International Association of Women Police is a global organisation dedicated to strengthening, uniting and advancing women in policing, with members from more than 70 countries.
Dawn Singleton, 25, Ashlee Good, 38, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Yixuan Cheng, 27 and security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, were killed in the April 2024 attack.
The inquest previously heard Cauchi had been diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager and had been successfully treated until 2019, when he stopped taking his medication.
He lived a transient life away from the support of his parents in Toowoomba, near Brisbane, and had been homeless when he set foot in the shopping centre for the last time.
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