Police officers who have died in the line of duty will be remembered at the annual Australasian and South Pacific Police Remembrance Day Service, being held at The Royal New Zealand Police College on Thursday 29 September 2011 at 11am.
The service also remembers all members of police, serving and retired, who have died in the past year.
New Zealand Police has been fortunate over the past year with no officers slain in the line of duty.
Among the staff being remembered this year is Pamela (Pam) Brien (nee Booker). Pam died in the Canterbury Television Building during the earthquake in Christchurch on 22 February.
A total of 68 serving and former staff members will be remembered at this year's service.
Police Minister Judith Collins, Commissioner Peter Marshall, and Deputy Commissioners Viv Rickard and Mike Bush will be present along with representatives of the High Commissions of Samoa, Niue, Cook Islands, Tonga, America, Britain, Papua New Guinea and Kiribati.
Guest speakers include:
• Amie Booker - Pam Brien's daughter
• Monsignor David Bennett - Chairperson of the Police Chaplains' Advisory Council
• Venerable Manshin - Abbess of Foguangshan Buddhist Order of New Zealand
The Police chevron-embedded Huia feather Remembrance Day Pin will be worn by members of Police throughout the country. By incorporating the police chevron into the Huia tail feather, the design of the pin symbolises the honouring of someone special, now lost to Police.
Police Remembrance Day falls on September 29, the feast day of the Archangel Michael - the patron saint of Police. The first Remembrance Day service was held 21 years ago following a recommendation form the commissioners of Australia, New Zealand and South West Pacific jurisdictions to honour the service of police staff.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Penny Clevely 04 2383 572 / 021 326 922 or email penelope.clevely@police.govt.nz. All media should plan to be onsite by 1045.
