The Emergency Services Expo is a great celebration of emergency services and an event that goes from strength to strength each year.
On Saturday, thousands of Wellingtonians, most of them families with young kids, came out to meet local emergency services at the sixth annual event hosted by Te Papa on Wellington’s Waterfront.
Acting Sergeant Jonno Westrupp coordinated Police’s attendance at this year’s event and says it was the best one yet.
“The fantastic weather, the huge crowd and that great support from our staff made it a successful event. Absolutely, the best part was seeing the kids turn up in their Police outfits to meet their heroes.”
The Emergency Services Expo gives the public a chance to interact with a wide range of emergency services. They can learn more about the roles, capabilities and equipment used and the work the various agencies do to support the community.
The mission for Police was to show the public how we prevent crime and harm through exceptional policing.
Police’s part in the day included several teams; Road Policing, Armed Offenders Squad, Maritime Unit, Dive Squad, Policing Support Unit, MPES and our community patrolling partners, Delta Section, Search and Rescue and Comms Centre staff.
The squads had a chance to inform the public about what they do and how.
Reflecting on the day, Jonno says: “Events like this are like credit in the bank for us. It gives the public a better understanding for when we turn up operationally in the community. This could be, for example, when we need to close a road down because of an accident.”
Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell under arrest.
Within moments of arriving at the Expo, Wellington District Commander Superintendent Corrie Parnell was under arrest.
It was the funniest citizen’s arrest to witness but one which made the policing dreams of a young lad come true.
The confident young boy walked up to the first officer he could see, Corrie, and requested to see his handcuffs. It was his dream come true to touch a set of handcuffs. And then to hold them. And then to use them.
The boss happily obliged only to find himself being dragged into a patrol car - and hoping that Māori Responsiveness Manager Inspector Rob Rutene had his keys to unlock the cuffs!
“I was surprised at how much the kids knew about Police," says Corrie. "It’s a reminder of the impact each interaction can have on young members of our community.
“What impressed me the most as I wandered around was the positive interaction by our staff with the public and the high regard in which we are held. I was proud of how our staff engaged with the community and represented Police."
All in all, an equally successful day out for Police staff as well as members of the public.
