Five police officers have received Bravery Awards for their action saving lives during Cyclone Gabrielle

Constables Patrick Noiseux, Mark Bancroft and Kurtis Maney all nearly drowned working to get people into trees and hold them there until help arrived.

Detective Sergeant Heath Jones and Detective Constable Jaime Stewart rescued a local detective, her young child and baby who were trapped on their shed roof with quickly rising water.

They then rescued an elderly couple trying to walk in fast flowing water - swimming them to safety.

Police Association President Chris Cahill says the award recognises the highest ideals of policing.