The annual Police Auckland Metro Medal and Awards ceremony will be held tomorrow - Friday, November 20 - in Eden Park's South Stand, starting at 9.30am.
In all, 126 people from across the region will receive an award, medal, certificate or long service clasp. Twenty two of the recipients are members of the public who are being recognised for their contributions or assistance to Police. Up to 500 friends, family and colleagues will also attend.
One Auckland Central employee will receive a Commissioner's Commendation for his dedication to developing a computer programme that has streamlined the processing of property crime data. There has been international interest in the world class programme.
Bronze Merit Awards will go to two Henderson Police Officers in recognition of their courage and resourcefulness when arresting an armed offender in Waitakere. Another Henderson officer will receive a Silver Merit Award for his bravery and professionalism when apprehending an armed man in Waitakere Hospital grounds.
Sergeant Karl Wilson of the Police Forensic Imaging Unit will receive a Commemorative Coin minted by the National Police of the Netherlands to acknowledge the professional commitment and untiring efforts of those who worked in the Disaster Victim Identification forensic team assigned to locate and identify victims of flight MH17.
On July 17 last year the flight was shot down over the Ukraine and all 283 passengers and 15 crew were killed. Sergeant Wilson is one of six New Zealanders to receive the coin.
Though media are not able to be in the venue during the awards ceremony, some of the recipients are happy to be interviewed after the ceremony.
Media who would like to speak to any of those featured below should meet in the foyer of the lounge at 11.30am.
If you are keen to interview, film or photograph any of the Auckland City District awardees [see some summary details below], please email an indication of who you would like to speak to, to noreen.hegarty@police.govt.nz
Media wishing to speak with Counties/Manukau or Waitemata District award or medal recipients should liaise with shelley.nahr@police.govt.nz
endsIssued by Noreen Hegarty/Auckland City Police Communications Manager
ph 0274 951 589
Auckland City District Commander's Certificate of Appreciation
Michael Borissenko -
In October this year Mr Borissenko observed a Police Officer in a physical confrontation with an uncooperative motorist and stepped in to assist the officer. A second confrontational man arrived to assist his associate and, although Mr Borissenko himself was assaulted, he obstructed the second man and protected the officer who was then able to restrain the first offender. Both offenders were arrested.
James Keenan -
One evening in May this year Mr Keenan and another man, both unknown to eachother, heard screams from a nearby park in Avondale. They left their respective properties and found a man hanging from a tree and his distraught partner trying to rescue him. Mr Keenan and the other man [who is unable to attend the ceremony] rescued the man from the tree, comforted his partner and stayed with her until emergency services arrived.
Tiputa (Trevor) Tuinanumea -
In December last year Mr Tuinanumea saw a vehicle crash offshore into Okahu Bay. He heard the two occupants in distress and, on discovering neither could swim, went to assist both and saved their lives.