St John honours partnership builder

Assistant Commissioner Dave Cliff was formally invested as a member of the Most Venerable Order of St John by the Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae at the weekend.

Dave, Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, is the first New Zealand Police officer to be directly admitted to the Order of St John for services outside St John membership.

The award recognised Dave’s key role in the development of strong relationships between St John and New Zealand Police, regionally and nationally.

The citation noted his work in the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes, when he was District Commander Canterbury, and in his subsequent role as Assistant Commissioner South.

“The co-operation over the new Justice and Emergency Hub, national roading policy and regional operations have significantly enhanced St John’s ability to provide its services,” the citation reads.

After the ceremony, at the First Church of Otago, in Dunedin, Dave said the award was a “huge privilege” and reflected work done by Police and St John in the South Island to join up their resources.

St John honours are sanctioned by the Queen – global head of the Order of St John - and are an independent part of New Zealand’s honours system. Police holders may wear the insignia of the Order on Police uniform.

(Photo: Barry Kelk Photography)