For me, the best times and worst times in Police are essentially the same.

 

At times of the greatest tragedy, the professionalism, courage and compassion of police employees come to the fore. At each of these challenging events, I have experienced mixed emotions. I feel intense pride in the organisation, and deep sadness for the tragedy.

 

That spectrum of emotion hit me again yesterday, at the Police Remembrance Day ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua.

 

Police Remembrance Day is commemorated throughout Australasia and the South Pacific on 29 September. The day was chosen because it is the Feast Day of the Archangel Michael, patron saint of Police worldwide.

 

As Acting Commissioner of Police it was my privilege to welcome the Minister of Police, representatives from Australia and South Pacific nations, the Bishop of Nelson, Ngati Toa rangatira and around 400 police staff and their families.

 

We came together to honour the 29 New Zealand police and traffic officers who were unlawfully killed in the line of duty between 1886 and today, and colleagues from Australia and the South Pacific who passed away during the last 12 months.

 

We made special tribute to Senior Constable Len Snee and Sergeant Don Wilkinson, who were both killed in the past year. We also remembered Sergeant Derek Wootton, who died 15 months ago. (Police website Memorial page.)

 

Families and friends of those three officers were warmly welcomed. The Police Family is a strong family. Every member of Police shares their sadness and wishes to offer what support they can. (Dominion Post, 30 September.)

 

The job of a police officer is never easy, and it would be almost impossible without the support of families and loved ones. Their critical role enables our officers to serve their communities and all law-abiding citizens to the best of their abilities.

 

As I leave New Zealand Police to take up the role of Auditor-General, I feel great pride in this organisation and its people. To have so much professionalism and so much heart is a great asset to us all.

Acting Commissioner Lyn Provost lays a wreath at the Police College Wall of Remembrance.