Police Commissioner Peter Marshall has paid tribute to retired Police Superintendent, Neville Matthews, MNZM, who sadly passed away yesterday in Wellington Hospital after a serious fall 13 days ago at his home.
Superintendent Matthews, aged 59, retired in late 2008 after 37 years of police service, culminating with his role as Police Liaison Officer based in Washington DC, a posting he took up in 2004 through until late 2008.
From 1993 until that time Superintendent Matthews was Manager of Operations at what was then known as the Office of the Commissioner (now PNHQ) and at the same time was National Commander of the Special Tactics Group.
He deployed five police contingents to East Timor, four International Peace Monitoring Team contingents to the Solomon Islands, and the first four rotations of police personnel to RAMSI.
Superintendent Matthews was responsible for the research, development, introduction and monitoring of new methods dealing with violent offenders - including the introduction of OC Spray.
From 2002 until his overseas posting to Washington DC, he was also Colonel Commandant of the Corps of the Royal New Zealand Military Police.
Superintendent Matthews was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year’s Honours List in 2005.
While working at Wellington Police Wellington Superintendent Matthews was instrumental in adopting the New Zealand Police “Safer Communities Together” strapline and ensuring it was placed on police patrol cars.
“Neville will certainly be remembered for his forthright approach, no-nonsense attitude and for the respect he gained everywhere he went,” Commissioner Marshall said.
“We extend our sincere condolences to Neville’s wife Liz, family and friends.”
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Kaye Calder
Police Public Affairs 04 460 2986 or 0274 241 6305