Senior Constable Cheryl Hall's work with domestic violence victims had earnt her the inaugural Sabine Altmann Award for Domestic Violence Practitioner of the Year.

The award was named after regional domestic violence coordinator Sabine Altmann who died in a car crash in October 2011.

Sabine lived in Armidale but her work took her across the New England, North West and Western parts of NSW.

Acting Deputy Commissioner and Corporate Spokesperson on Domestic Violence  Mark Murdoch said Sabine was dedicated to her work as a regional domestic violence co-ordinator.

“She was very much concerned about the welfare of victims of domestic violence and providing strong support and advocacy for those who needed it," Mr Murdoch said.

The award recognising the NSW Police Force’s Domestic Violence Practitioner of the Year was named in Sabine’s honour as a tribute to her relentless passion and commitment to addressing the problem of domestic violence in this state.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Murdoch said domestic violence was quite literally, an assault on our families and places an extraordinary demand on our resources.

“Domestic violence matters can be incredibly challenging and disheartening crimes for our police to investigate.

“It is a challenging, emotionally charged area of policing which is why it is important to recognise those police who willingly take on this, at times, emotionally draining discipline of policing,” he said.

“Nominees for the award were required to meet one of five criteria – the three finalists met all five"