The outstanding contribution of 15 members of Police was recognised yesterday (31 October) with the award of the 2019 Woolf Fisher Police Fellowships.
Fourteen of the 15 were at Police National Headquarters (PNHQ) to formally receive their Fellowships from Sir Noel Robinson, Chairman of the Woolf Fisher Trust.
Commissioner Mike Bush welcomed members of the Woolf Fisher Trust and family “as members of the New Zealand Police whānau” and thanked them for helping recognise the fantastic, often unrecognised work of staff.
Commissioner Mike Bush.
“The community are really proud of you but they only know a small part of what you do,” he said to the new Fellows.
“If they knew what you did every day and every night to serve your communities they would be in absolute awe, because you do astounding work.
“To have this Trust helping us recognise our people on behalf of the wider community is simply outstanding.”
The Woolf Fisher Police Fellowships were launched last year to reward the hard work and commitment of Police staff which might otherwise go unrecognised.
The award comprises a grant for the recipient to travel overseas to learn about aspects of policing in other jurisdictions. It also builds in relaxation time, with provision for partners to accompany the Fellow.
Sir Noel said he and his family felt moved and proud to be considered part of the Police family – and that it was important for family who supported the Fellows in their careers to share their experiences.
“We want you to enjoy yourselves,” he told the recipients. “You deserve this reward, to go out and have a bit of fun, visit the places you’ve always wanted to visit and to take family with you.
“And you will be bringing back ideas about policing so we can, as the Commissioner says, be the safest country.”
Sir Noel said the family wanted to see the Fellowships carry on “for generations to come”.
The 2018 Fellows, announced in January, have travelled far and wide to study aspects of policing, ranging from approaches to family harm, to policing in indigenous communities, to police dog training.
Three of the 2018 Fellows spoke about their experiences at a celebratory Woolf Fisher Police Fellowship Breakfast in Wellington earlier this month.
DCE Service Delivery Mark Evans, opening yesterday’s ceremony, said those who heard the 2018 Fellows speak found it “truly uplifting”.
“It’s always a great day to be in New Zealand Police but today is particularly great because we’re recognising people who have been nominated by their peers and colleagues for the fantastic work they have done… over months and years,” he said.
2019 Woolf Fisher Police Fellows - citations
In attendance were...
Penny Clevely, PNHQ - Public Affairs
Penny has 22 years’ service with Police in a range of areas including the RNZPC, Ministerial and Executive Liaison and Public Affairs.
She joined Police from TVNZ and has continued to contribute to visual and written story-telling, as well as organising communications at Police events from graduations to Royal visits.
In 2015, Penny managed the project to establish the centralised Police Media Centre.
Detective Sergeant Jon Gower (JP), Northland
In 24 years with Police, JP has been a frontline Constable, Detective in Criminal Investigation Database and a Sergeant and Detective Sergeant within Intelligence.
He has played a significant role in numerous investigations, currently as Intelligence Collection Coordinator. He is considered by many to be the best in his field.
JP works tirelessly with partner agencies to keep our community safe.
Detective Sergeant Brad Greenstreet, Canterbury
Brad has more than 11 years' police service.
Early on he recognised the effect of trauma exposure on mental wellbeing. In 2017 he began a project called The Empty Chair to promote mental health among police and their families, to reduce stigma and encourage early reporting.
Empty Chair videos have received more than 4800 hits, indicating the importance of the issues Brad has raised.
Asher Hauwaho, Wellington
Originally a Constable, Asher became a Pouwhakataki iwi liaison officer in 2010, implementing many initiatives to assist Māori and reduce offending.
He played a significant role in establishing the Te Pae Oranga iwi community panel in the Hutt Valley, and is supporting the development of panels in Porirua and the Wairarapa.
Asher has established a strong partnership with Te Atiawa and provides support and mentoring across the District.
Tracey Hawkins, Eastern
Tracey has been described by colleagues as an unsung hero of provincial policing.
She has had a range of support roles since joining Police in 1986 as a typist in Gisborne. She transitioned to Wairoa then the File Management Centre and is now considered one of Eastern District’s most respected leaders.
Tracey has led staff training and is one of the originating members of the WAN.
Constable Jason Herring, Bay of Plenty
Six years ago Jason became the first full-time Family Violence Coordinator in Eastern Bay of Plenty, based in Whakatāne.
He recently played a lead role in training colleagues in the new 5F approach to family harm.
Family harm investigations in the Eastern Bay have been decreasing, which Jason’s colleagues attribute partly to his work with the community, including early intervention with victims and offenders.
Constable Simon Kairau, Southern
Simon has been a liaison officer in Southland for 10 years. He has worked with Iwi and the greater Murihiku community to build on relationships and improve partnerships.
He has developed numerous initiatives including Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit and Support (CACTUS), driving programmes and referral apps.
Simon was responsible for the development and facilitation of the District’s first iwi community panel.
Inspector Bronwyn Marshall, PNHQ – Safer Whānau
Bronwyn leads the Safer Whānau programme, which has included development of the family harm app which has been rolled out nationally, improving the Police response and frontline productivity.
Bronwyn was responsible for national implementation of the Integrated Safety Response (ISR), Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke, Victim Video Statement pilot and 5F process.
Her tireless work to deliver such initiatives has played a key role in reducing family harm.
Sergeant Deane McEntee, Auckland
Deane has provided inspirational leadership to Auckland’s School Community Officers.
He partnered with a teacher to create a student-led Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) resource, which has been trialled successfully in schools and by Auckland Transport, is undergoing national implementation and has been presented internationally.
Deane’s previous experience as a secondary teacher supports his mission to ensure our work with schools is as effective as possible.
Senior Constable Terri Middleton, Tasman
Terri joined Police in Greymouth 27 years ago. In 2002 she became West Coast School Community Officer and has influenced the lives of hundreds if not thousands of children.
Terri was Police Support Liaison Officer during the Pike River disaster, earning the praise of the families’ spokesperson.
She also spearheaded a conversation with the school principal at the Gloriavale Christian Community, helping build relationships based on trust.
Senior Sergeant Lyle Norriss, Auckland
Lyle is Chairperson of Auckland Women’s Advisory Network, District O/C Family Harm – and a consummate role model for women in policing.
She contributed to Police participation in the Auckland Pride celebration, through her WAN role and desire for Police to support rainbow communities.
She played key roles in celebrations of 75 years of women in policing, International Women’s Day and the inaugural Auckland District Police Employee Leadership workshop.
Senior Sergeant Sharon Price, Counties Manukau
Sharon joined Police 21 years ago from Victim Support – and victims have remained a key focus.
She joined the Counties Manukau Child Abuse team in 2009. She was involved in implementation of the Counties Manukau Multi Agency Centre for child abuse and adult sexual assault, and later Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke.
She represented Police on the CYF modernisation programme and provided family violence training Kiribati Police.
Inspector Andrew Sloan, Eastern
Andrew’s 28 years’ service began on the frontline in Auckland before he returned home to Hawkes Bay in 1994 as a Detective.
He has worked tirelessly to serve the community, often as the conduit between our partner agencies, iwi and Police.
He leads by example, sometimes working long frontline shifts at times of staff shortage. Andrew brings energy and professionalism to his role of Eastern District Operations Manager.
Sergeant Jarod Walsh, Waikato
For most of Jarod’s 20 years in Police he has been a member of the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS).
He is a member of the National Critical Incident working group and is a subject matter expert in critical incident management.
He has spoken to AOS members and their partners nationwide about support required after critical incidents and is determined to ensure Police provides the best possible awhi.
