The Auckland Metro medal and awards ceremony is being held tomorrow (Friday 7 November) at the Vodafone Events Centre, 770 Great South Road, Wiri.
A number of awards will be presented to Police staff and members of the public.
Though media are not able to be in the venue during the awards ceremony, some of the Auckland City Police recipients are happy to be interviewed by media after the ceremony.
Media who would like to speak to any of the following people should meet in the foyer of the Vodafone Events Centre at 11am.
If you are keen to interview, film or photograph any of the Auckland City District awardees, please email an indication of who you would like to speak to noreen.hegarty@police.govt.nz
Award and medal recipients will not be making any comment before the ceremony.
District Commander's Certificate of Appreciation
Messers Asoka Basnayake, Venkat Raman, masa Sekikawa, Jenny Wang QSM and John Wong QSM, all founding members of the City District's Asian Advisory Board, will receive the certificate in recognition of their diligence, commitment and professionalism over the 10 years they have been members of the Board.
Ms Jaimee Falconer, Balmoral
On November 28, 2013, Ms Falconer was a pedestrian in Mornington when she observed a 61 year-old man in distress in a crashed vehicle. She started CPR while he was still in the vehicle before seeking assistance from another person to remove the victim from the vehicle in order to continue CPR. With the assistance of others, Ms Falconer continued CPR until a pulse was detected, thereby saving the man's life.
District Commander's Commendation
Detective Constable Libby Willis
For commitment, dedication and investigative skills. In July 2013 she was tasked with investigating high end burglaries in Parnell where little to no evidence was available. Her tenacity and investigative skills led to the location of items from the burglaries worth thousands of dollars which were returned to the owners, including invaluable WWI war diaries, war medals and a Knighthood medal which the owners had not known were missing. In addition, the offenders were arrested and linked to numerous other similar burglaries.
Bronze Merit Award
Constable Nicolas Corley
For bravery and professionalism after an aggravated robbery in Panmure.
On 4 November 2013, Constable Corley was working as a single crewed unit. He responded to an aggravated robbery incident but, before he could arm himself, was pointed in the direction of some suspects by witnesses.
Unarmed, he approached the suspects and apprehended them single-handedly without incident, locating two air pistols, a knife and a balaclava on the suspects.
Constable Corley did not hesitate to act in the interests of preventing harm to members of the public. Without his intervention the offenders would likely have repeated their offending bringing further harm to the community.
Silver Merit Award
Constable Karl Burkhardt
Constable Mark Clayton
Constable Mathew Nicolson
Constable Bede Walsh
For bravery and professionalism when apprehending an armed man shooting randomly at members of the public.
On 10 November 2013, Police responded to reports than an armed male was shooting at members of the public. Constables Burkhardt, Clayton, Nicolson and Walsh immediately deployed to where the male had been last seen. Fearing for the safety of the public, these officers, as a team, moved swiftly towards the offender. The man was challenged at close quarters then dropped his weapon and was arrested. The officers acted courageously, professionally and showed no hesitation approaching an armed man.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589 Website: www.police.govt.nz