Surrounded by friends, family and colleagues, Inspector Ann Wilkie received the top award Police can give in recognition of her years of service to New Zealand.
Ann was awarded Police’s Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) for outstanding service, commitment and determination in reducing family harm and repeat victimisation during 26 years with Police in Counties Manukau.
Her achievements include her leading role in the establishment of the district’s Multi-Agency Centre, which revolutionised the way police work in the areas of adult sexual assault and child protection.
Ann was project lead in the national roll-out of the Criminal Justice Support Unit model, which helped ease the administrative burden on frontline staff and effectively increased the numbers of police on the street.
She is currently manager of the Counties Manukau Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke family harm reduction pilot, which is improving the way Police works with victims. It is one of three WNPH pilots, with the model now being developed nationwide.
“It’s fantastic to be recognised for doing something that you get a lot of pleasure from doing anyway,” says Ann. “If you feel like you’re making a difference that’s a reward in itself. To then get formal recognition as well is amazing.”
She says establishing the MAC was particularly satisfying, as it brought different agencies under one roof to help victims. However, the award is acknowledgement of the people working in the area of family harm.
“We’re starting to see some good results and we’ve got some really passionate people working with us.”
The MSM is the highest honour the Police Commissioner can bestow, recognising years of outstanding service that cannot otherwise be acknowledged through the Commissioner's Awards or the Royal Honours system.
Commissioner Mike Bush presented Ann with her MSM at a ceremony in the Whare Wananga, at Counties Manukau District Headquarters.
“The fact that Ann is one of just a handful of members of Police to receive the MSM says much about the absolutely outstanding contribution she has made, not just to New Zealand Police but to New Zealand as a whole,” he said.
“Having heard the citation for Ann, all of us will agree that she has given an enormous amount to the communities she has served - and continues to serve.”
Among Ann’s supporters were her husband Inspector Richard Wilkie and children Sean and Rebecca – and the Maclean College kapa haka group, which performed in Ann’s honour, with Sean leading. Another son Charles was overseas and unable to attend.
“It was awesome because I was able to surround myself with people who matter and had in some way participated in the work which was being acknowledged,” says Ann. “It was outstanding.”