This year’s King’s Birthday Honours list features a name that Southern staff will be very familiar with.
Sergeant Walter 'Wally' Kopae, OC of Southland Dog Section, who is currently based in Suva as an advisor with the Fiji Police Partnership Programme, was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to New Zealand Police and the community.
It is an honour that comes 36 years into Wally’s esteemed career with Police. After joining in 1987 Wally has served 30 years in the AOS and 32 years in the Dog Section.
He became a reserve member of Southland AOS in 1989, and since then has attended countless emergency calls for deployment, among them the tragic events that unfolded in Aramoana in 1990.
It’s Wally’s experience, knowledge and skill that has seen him hold leadership roles over the years beyond Southern District in dog training and development.
He has trained dogs and handlers in specialist areas including Search and Rescue, and even now he is developing police patrol dog capability while deployed in Fiji.
Nearly all of Wally’s career has been on-call, with his work for Delta Unit and AOS. It’s an incredible feat of commitment and sacrifice which, according to Southern District Commander Paul Basham, sums up Wally’s contributions to Police and the community.
“Whether it’s his work with Dog Sections, AOS, his overseas deployments, or his work in bringing te ao Māori into his policing, Wally goes all in,” says District Commander Basham.
“He brings an energy and a powerful commitment, which is ultimately all about providing the best possible service to his communities.
“I’m so happy and proud for Wally to receive this incredibly well-deserved honour.”
This commitment to the community extends even wider than policing for Wally. His passion for cycling has seen him bring the community together through the management of Southland road races, coaching the Police corporate pursuit team and supporting the Westpac Chopper Appeal ride between Queenstown and Invercargill.
Most recently, Wally has been contributing to communities outside of New Zealand, with his work in the Fiji Police Partnership Programme. But it’s not the first time that he has made a positive impact for New Zealand Police overseas.
His work on the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands in 2002-2003 stands out, and so too does his work as one of only two New Zealand Police staff deployed to Afghanistan in the first rotation of Op Highland.
Wally worked to train and mentor Afghan Police trainers in the post-war environment throughout this deployment in 2005.
They are all chapters in a lifetime of service that continues today. And in being honoured for that service, Wally can’t help but reflect on the moments that have made up a stellar career.
“I have been extremely fortunate to be part of New Zealand Police specialist teams, Dog Section, AOS, overseas deployments and there are countless ‘better work stories’,” says Wally.
“However, moments that stand out for me are getting accepted into the dog section and being allocated my first police dog, Renko. I also take immense pride in observing the development and success of my handlers throughout their careers.”
In receiving his honour today, Wally is typically humble and quick to acknowledge those who have supported him along the way.
“There are so many outstanding people in our organisation, and it is truly humbling to be singled out.
"This honour isn’t about me. I accept it on behalf of New Zealand Police, New Zealand Police Dog Section, work colleagues and my whānau. I pay special homage to my wife Sam, whose love support and sacrifice allowed me to do a job that I love.”
SEE MORE: Police leaders recognised in first King's Birthday Honours.