Lights, sirens, action….

Thanks to the thousands of people who enjoyed the sun and fun at Saturday’s emergency services school holiday expo at Te Papa and the adjacent waterfront.

Police officers from Wellington District’s Mobile Base, Maritime Unit, the Police National Dive Squad, AOS and Dog Section were rapt to meet so many visitors.

There was plenty to see and do – dressing up in a variety of police uniforms, including trying out dive helmets and AOS kit for size; patting patrol dog Ike and drugs and detector dog Tas; and checking out police, fire and ambulance vehicles, before turning attention to the on-the-water action.

Coastguard and a Centre Port tug went through their paces. This was followed by a police dog handler, dive squad, crew from the Lady Elizabeth IV and a speedy police RHIB joining forces to successfully catch and rescue a ‘robber’ who jumped into the harbour. Taken into custody by a police diver and transferred to the Lady Liz, the ‘offender’ was unmasked and found to be Maritime Unit’s Senior Sergeant Tex Houston in disguise. 

A capital day out for all, even the Pokemon Go players whose hopes of a quiet Pokemon safari around the waterfront were dashed.

This selection of photos shows some of the fun. 

Photos: Kaye Calder, Police Public Affairs