Having a partner who's barking mad on crime was a major factor in a Waikato officer earning two prestigious awards, presented at the Hamilton Police Station on Tuesday.
Constable Ben Turner of the Waikato Police Dog section was presented with a Commissioner's Silver Merit Award for bravery and the Erridge Cup, presented to the best-performed rookie dog and handler in the country in their first year of operational service.
Presented the awards by District Commander Win van der Velde, Constable Turner said it was a humbling experience to find out from his supervisor two months ago that he had even been nominated let alone judged the winner for 2011/2012.
The Erridge Cup is not presented every year rather it is only awarded when an officer and a dog pairing are identified as having been worthy of the award.
"From my perspective I believe the Taupiri job played a major part in our being nominated as we were 10 months into being an operational team. It happened to be us on duty that night but I believe any of the other dog handlers on our team could and would have performed in the same manner."
That 'Taupiri job' took place on the evening of 25 August 2012 when Ben and Ponch attended a call about a man threatening patrons at the Taupiri Tavern discharging a firearm.
Accompanied by Sergeant Neil Mouncher of the Huntly Police, Constable Turner and Ponch started to track the offender, first through streets and then in thick bush where they found the 20-year-old offender lying prone.
Not knowing if he was still armed, Constable Turner called on him to show his hands but he refused and Ponch was deployed leading to the man's arrest.
"A lot of the credit for this and a number of other arrests has to go to my partner, Ponch, who can't speak about his role but who's input and enthusiasm is crucial in making ours a successful team."
Sergeant Mouncher's bravery was also recognised at yesterday's ceremony with both officers being presented Silver Merit Awards.
Congratulating both officers on their awards Waikato Police District Operations Manager, Inspector John Kelly, said Constable Turner was continuing a tradition of high standards achieved by the Waikato Dog Section.
"Ben is the District's third recipient of the Erridge Cup with current members Constables Blair Spalding and Andrew Grylls-Thomas being previous recipients of this prestigous award.
"These recipeints are testament to the rigourous selection process applicants to the Dog Section need to go through and emphasise the high calibre of those currently working in the role."
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