Murray brothers keep in step

Timaru officers Dylan and Tristan Murray will likely always hold the unique honour of being the brothers who were promoted to the rank of Sergeant on the same day.

The brothers each knew the other was applying for a vacant sergeant’s position in Timaru. But what they didn’t know, until the successful applicant was announced, was that there were actually two positions available and both of them had got a new job.

Between them, Dylan and Tristan have around 24 years policing experience. Dylan has been in the job four years longer than his younger brother, and has CIB experience.

Dylan has worked in Timaru for the past eight years whereas Tristan returned to Timaru four years ago having worked in Auckland for six years.

Tristan’s arrival back in Timaru caused some confusion among the locals who couldn’t work out why a detective (Dylan) was wearing a uniform (Tristan).

The brothers look very similar, are the same height and are good mates. So when the Timaru Herald asked them how the public could tell them apart?

“Ask for the handsome one,” Tristan said.

“And they will get me,” Dylan quipped.