2002 - Constable Daniel James Cleaver

Dangerous offenders determined to escape, Kaikohe, 4 September 2002

DC1589 Constable Daniel James Cleaver
The New Zealand Bravery Medal

At 0100 on 4 September 2002, Constable Cleaver of Kaikohe was on duty alone when he was called to attend a report of burglars at a chemist shop at Ōkaihau, 15 kilometres away. On arrival, he disturbed two men who ran from the scene and got into a vehicle. He attempted to stop them by smashing the driver's window and removing the ignition keys. The vehicle, however, drove off, side-swiping the police vehicle, with Constable Cleaver just managing to pull his arm away. He pursued the men, who stopped their vehicle and reversed it into the police car. They then drove off at speed.

Constable Cleaver continued the pursuit for four kilometres before they stopped again. The constable stopped at a safe distance, but this time the men completed a U-turn and drove their vehicle at speed towards Constable Cleaver, hitting his vehicle in the driver's door and partially knocking it into a drain. The offenders drove off again, still pursued by Constable Cleaver. Again, they completed a U-turn and drove directly towards him. He attempted to avoid them by reversing his vehicle, but they struck it head on, immobilising their own vehicle. Both offenders then ran into bush, while Constable Cleaver remained at the scene and assisted with organising a cordon until a dog unit from Whangārei arrived some 30 minutes later.

Constable Cleaver’s bravery was in the highest traditions of the New Zealand Police.