The four responded to a request for assistance from the Reserve Bank of Australia building in Martin Place, where a man was struggling to breathe. The four men performed CPR and used a defibrillator until Paramedics arrived.

In a ceremony this year, the four were awarded Certificates of Merit from the NSW Police Force’s Communications and Security Command.

“Special Constables are true frontline workers,” said Industrial Manager Nathan Bradshaw. “They are armed and guard vital government infrastructure such as Police Headquarters, Cabinet Offices, State Parliament House and the home of the Governor of NSW.

“Their quick-thinking responses in this case is a great example of their vigilance. Special Constables really are Champions of the State.”

The awards were endorsed by Assistant Commissioner Stacey Maloney, who praised the Constables’ “extremely professional and coordinated response to the incident”.