Police Commissioner Mike Bush will officiate at the Auckland City Police biannual Medal and Awards Ceremony which will be held this morning at the Auckland Town Hall and where two recipients will be presented with the Police Gold Merit Award for bravery and professionalism.
Senior Constables Christopher Harris and Stephen Pike of the Auckland Dog Section were among officers called to Buckingham Crescent, Papatoetoe on 22 December 2009, where Constable Jeremy Snow was lying gravely injured after being shot by an offender.
After colleagues rescued Constable Snow, Senior Constables Harris and Pike went to nearby Allenby Road, where Senior Constable Pike had seen a man who he thought may have been involved in the shooting incident.
They followed a track to a man hiding behind a hedge and, after unsuccessful voice appeals, Senior Constable Pike deployed Police Dog York to extract him. As it transpired, he was the gunman.
Constables Michael Collins and Philip Savill of the Air Support Unit will receive the Bronze Merit Award in recognition of their outstanding work on consecutive days while deployed in the Police helicopter Eagle, resulting in two lives being saved in January 2013. The pilot will receive the Commissioner's Certificate of Appreciation in relation to the same water-based incidents.
The ceremony recognises long service and good conduct of Police members as well as outstanding work performance and acts of bravery by Police and members of the public.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz