Officers’ sea rescue efforts recognised

Two New Zealand Police Officers have been commended for their efforts in a recent marine rescue mission in the Solomon Islands.

Detective Constable Lesa Eastergaard and Senior Constable Andrew Cobden-Cox serve with the Participating Police Force (PPF), set up as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in 2003, following a period unrest.

The pair searched for survivors in rough seas near the port of Lofung after a boat capsized with 10 people on board. The rescue mission included other PPF members, officers from the Royal Solomon Island Police Force and concerned locals. Their efforts resulted in six people being rescued from tortuous seas.

Officer Eastergaard said the operation was one she will always remember.

“While the wider RAMSI mission deployed resources to assist both the search and evacuation of survivors, members of the local community put their own lives at risk in the effort to locate survivors.

“Being able to help a community in such a remote location with very little means of communication is a great privilege.”

Officers Eastergaard and Cobden-Cox are part of a 20-strong group of New Zealand Police officers presently serving with the PPF. The multi-nation security contingent was deployed to restore order and help rebuild the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).